30th Sunday homily for ordinary time year b
Theme: JESUS HEALS THE BLIND MAN……. “‘What do you want me to do for you?’. The blind man said, ‘Master, let me see again!’”
By: Fr. Pere CAMPANYÀ i Ribó
(Barcelona, Spain)
Homily for Sunday October 24 2021
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 10,46-52.
Today, we can see a man who, amidst his own aches and pains, finds his true happiness thanks to Jesus Christ. It is a person with two shortcomings: he cannot see and he is unable to work for a living, which forces him to beg. He needs help and he is sitting by the roadside, outside Jericho, where a lot of people pass by.
He is lucky to be there when Jesus is leaving Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd. Obviously, that blind man has heard about Jesus; he must have been told about the miracles He did, so when hearing He is passing by, he starts to call out: “Son of David, have pity on me.” (Mk 10:47). The people who were going along with the Master tell the man to be quiet; they do not think of his sad personal situation, they are being selfish; but Jesus does care about the beggar and tells them to call him. Immediately, the blind man jumps up and goes to the Son of David beginning their dialogue with a question and an answer: “Jesus said to him in reply, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man replied to him, ‘Master, I want to see.’” (Mk 10:51). And Jesus grants him the gift of a double sight: the corporeal sight and most importantly, the faith which is the inner vision of God. St. Clement of Alexandria says: “Let us put an end to the oblivion of the truth; let us unclothe our heart and dispel the ignorance and darkness that, as a cloud, darkens our eyes, and let us contemplate he who is really God.”
We often complain when we say: —I do not know how to pray. Let us then follow the example of the blind man in the Gospel: He insists on calling Jesus, and he tells him what he needs with just three words. We need more faith? Let us just say: —O Lord, increase my faith. We have relatives or friends who have ceased to practice their Catholic faith? Let us make this prayer: “O Lord, let them see again.” Is faith so important? What shall we say if we compare it with the physical sight? The blind man’s condition was very sad, but much sadder is the life of the unbelievers. Let us tell them: —The Master calls you, place your needs before him and Jesus will generously reward you.
Fr. Pere CAMPANYÀ i Ribó
(Barcelona, Spain)