Jesus Does Not Immediately Respond to a Prayer for a Reason. He Wants Us to Pray in Confidence!

Fr. Hugh Gillespie, SMM

Jesus Does Not Immediately Respond to a Prayer for a Reason. He Wants Us to Pray in Confidence!

As we move through the last several weeks of ordinary time, there will be a shift in the overall tone of scripture.

There will be a note of ultimacy. We hear that in today’s readings of scripture. In today’s Gospel we hear of a blind man on the side of the rode. In the first reading we hear about a return from exile. At first glance this may sound like an odd pairing of ideas the Church has with today’s readings.

The key to both of these readings is the events happen when Jesus is going someplace. In the Gospel He has left Jericho, because He is on the way to Jerusalem. He is going to Jerusalem to win our salvation on The Cross. He is going to where salvation will be achieved and won.

In the first reading there is movement as well. The return of the people in exile is not merely a political moment. People are freed and on their way to their new home. It is also a vision of fallen man. They are exiled in this world longing for heaven. Longing for salvation. Longing for an end to their persecution.

The Lord holds out a vision, not of Israel of old, but a new promise. Hear more within the Homily!

Jesus and the Blind Man at the Side of the Road

In the Gospel we hear of the blind man by the side of the road. When we are inflicted, life often passes us by. When we are wounded and overwhelmed, we can feel overlooked as the world continues around us.

For the blind man life passes by. But on this day, Life itself passes by. He understands Jesus is near and he calls out to Jesus. When he was by the side of the road, he called out for the scraps of the world. The world largely ignored him. The world could not make him better. Jesus then passes by. Listen to the lesson for us all. Hear more in the Homily!

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