33rd Week in Ordinary Time
Margaret of Scotland / Gertrude

1st Reading: 1 Mac 1:10–15, 41–43, 54–57, 62–63

Gospel: Lk 18:35–43
When Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road, begging. As he heard the crowd passing by, he inquired what it was, and they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was going by. Then he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” The people in front scolded him, “Be quiet!” but he cried out all the more, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and ordered the blind man to be brought to him, and when he came near, he asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the man said, “Lord, that I may see!” Jesus said, “Receive your sight, your faith has saved you.” At once the blind man was able to see, and he followed Jesus, giving praise to God. And all the people who were there also praised God.

Commentary
Those, who have faith and trust in Christ, find that their sufferings have a purpose and that they also have an end. This is not the time to join the ranks of the discouraged, the cowardly and the fainthearted. Now is the time to let the light of our faith shine forth, not for pride’s sake, but as a beacon for many of us, who are lost. In this, Christ is our strength and His word is our sword. All suffering has a purpose; not a physical purpose as much as a spiritual purpose, for just as gold is tested in the fire and purified, so also we must pass through our own flames of penance and sacrifice here on earth in order to be cleansed of our sins.

In today’s gospel, Christ says to us: “Your faith has saved you.” While those, who do not accept Christ and all His teachings, might ridicule and scorn us Christians, those of us, who realize the treasures that Christ brings to our lives, are filled with hope and are willing to undergo whatever suffering God wills for us. God emphasizes that we must all work together to bring goodness into our world.

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