DAILY- HOMILY

October 25, 2015 - 30th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Cycle B, Green

Jer 31:7 – 9 / Heb 5:1 – 6 / Mk 10:46 - 52.

First Reading: Jer 31:7 - 9  

     For Yahweh says this: Shout with joy for Jacob; rejoice for the greatest of nations. Proclaim your praise and say, "Yahweh has saved his people, the remnant of Israel!" Look, I will bring them back from the land of the north, gather them from the ends of the earth, the lame and the blind, mothers and women in labor -- a great throng will return. They went away weeping, they will return in joy. I will lead them by the streams of water, on a level path so that no one will stumble, for I am Israel's father and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Second Reading: Heb 5:1 – 6

     Every High Priest is taken from among mortals and appointed to be their representative before God to offer gifts and sacrifices for sin. He is able to understand the ignorant and erring for he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he is bound to offer sacrifices for his sins as well as for the sins of the people. Besides, one does not presume to take this dignity, but takes it only when called by God, as Aaron was.

  Nor did Christ become High Priest in taking upon himself this dignity, but it was given to him by the One who says: You are my son, I have begotten you today. And in another place: You are a priest forever in the priestly order of Melchizedek.

Gospel: Mk 10:46 -52   

     They came to Jericho. As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar, Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth passing by, he began to call out, "Son of David, Jesus, have mercy on me!"  Many people scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he shouted all the louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

     Jesus stopped and said, "Call him" So they called the blind man saying, "Take heart. Get up, he is calling you." He immediately threw aside his cloak, jumped up and went to Jesus. Then Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said, "Master, let me see again!" And Jesus said to him, "Go your way, your faith has made you well." And immediately he could see, and followed Jesus along the road.   

Reflection:

     The blind man Bartimaeus knew no other work than to beg in public places in Jericho. Blind, he must have heard about the preacher and miracle-worker named Jesus. He must have heard about the many good works he had done, miracles of cure and healing, of cleansing of those possessed by evil spirits. He must have patiently prayed, hoped and waited for the day Jesus would pass by him at the roadside. All he needed was the opportunity to request for healing, to give him his sight. When that day came, he courageously cried out loudly, "Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me."

     True healing begins when we desire it. St. Augustine of Hippo says that we are all beggars in front of the Lord. A beggar knows what he truly wants; he knows what he needs; he does not ask for unessential things but begs for food, clothing and enough funds to last the day.  

     Like a beggar, our attitude should be that of total dependence in the Lord and his healing presence. When we become beggars we are forced to retreat into our inmost core, into our heart's deepest longings and needs. We become in touch with the essential things for life. Only in such deep desiring can true healing take place. This is the initial step.

     True healing is fueled by an intense faith in God: "Faith means holding on to God's mighty works in our lives. Faith enables us to affirm how the Lord had stretched out his hand in times of crisis and need. By recalling those moments in our lives, we may share in the Psalmist cry of joy, "The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy."

     True healing arouses discipleship. Since God intends to restore all of us into his healing love, he also calls us to proclaim this healing love through our graced lives. The healing we receive from him is so great and generous that we cannot contain it within ourselves only.  

     We pray that he may increase in us the capacity to desire and love him. We pray too that, in and through our broken and humbled lives, we may share God's healing love with others.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     BETTY LIMPE NGO

     DAVID SAN PEDRO

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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   |  The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the

   |  priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish

   |  distributed free and for personal use only.  

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