Tuesday, February 14, 2006
WEDNESDAY 6TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
FEBRUARY 15, 2006
WEDNESDAY 6TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - YEAR II
JAMES 1:19-27
Know this, my dear brothers and sisters: everyone should be quick to
hear, slow to speak, slow to anger for anger does not accomplish the
righteousness of God. Therefore, put away all filth and evil excess and
humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to
save your souls. Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding
yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is
like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror. He sees himself, then
goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like. But the one who
peers into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres, and is not a
hearer who forgets but a doer who acts; such a one shall be blessed in
what he does. If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his
tongue but deceives his heart, his religion is vain. Religion that is
pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for
orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by
the world.
MARK 8:22-26
When Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethsaida, people brought to
him a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by
the hand and led him outside the village. Putting spittle on his eyes
he laid his hands on the man and asked, "Do you see anything?"
Looking up the man replied, "I see people looking like trees and
walking." Then he laid hands on the man's eyes a second time and he saw
clearly; his sight was restored and he could see everything distinctly.
Then he sent him home and said, "Do not even go into the village."
REFLECTION
The gospel today tells us of the healing of a blind man in the vicinity
of Bethsaida, a town along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus
healed the blind man not in one dramatic action, but instead, he healed
him by using spittle and in a gradual manner.
What is the good news today? What is the message conveyed indirectly
to us by this story? What do the action and words of Jesus teach us?
The words, "Do you see anything?" is not only addressed to the blind
man, but also to everyone who hears the gospel as proclaimed throughout
the ages.
In earlier verses (Mk 8:17-18), Jesus asked his companions in the boat,
"Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do
you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?" He asked these questions
because he saw their lack of understanding even after they had seen and
experienced the multiplication of the loaves of bread and fishes.
As we reflect and contemplate the gospel today, Jesus asks the same
questions: "Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and ears but not
see and hear?" Having experienced his love and mercy, Jesus also asks:
"Do you see anything?" What would be our response to him?
Perhaps we should recall the words of Jesus at the start of his
ministry. He said: "He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and
recovery of sight to the blind...Today this scripture passage is
fulfilled in your hearing."(Luke 4: 18-21) Indeed grace and healing
builds up in our hearts gradually in the same manner as the healing of
the blind man in today's gospel.
PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, we praise and thank you for you are the source of
all love and mercy. We ask for your forgiveness for our inability to
see and savor the countless blessings, which you have given us as
manifested in the daily circumstances of our lives. In your goodness
and mercy continue to heal us of our blindness so that we could see
your glory shining in every moment of our lives. We ask these in
Jesus' name. Amen
PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray ...
- for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
- for the spiritual and physical healing of Virginia Cruz.
- for the eternal repose of the soul of Augusto E. Ocampo. Eternal
rest grant unto him and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he and
all the souls of the dearly departed rest in peace.
- for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- In Memoriam (+): Benedict Tan Syling
- for world peace and reconciliation.
Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers
and for those who need our prayers the most.
Have a good day!
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