Breaking the Word

33^rd Week in Ord. Time, Tuesday – 16^th November 2021 — Gospel: Lk 19,1-10

Reversal of Unrecoversables  

The passage starts presenting the Master who enters Jericho and crosses the city with the crowd of followers and the disciples. At the entrance of the city, Jesus has just cured a blind man who begged him for a sight (18,35-43). The healing of the blind man and the “recovery” of Zacchaeus reflect and illumine each other. The blind beggar wanted only to see, Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, whereas Jesus seeks to save their souls. In these episodes, although it seems both beggar and Zacchaeus were taking the initiatives; in fact, it is Jesus, who took the initiative to reach them. He reverses their condition that seemed unrecoverable. Both stories speak of a crowd that follows the Master, but does not understand, criticizes him and opposes his choices and his saving work. Both the stories reveal Jesus as the Son of Man, who ‘came to seek out and to save the lost’ (Ezek 34,16). Jesus’ daring approach to have meal with Zacchaeus emphasizes the need for human dignity as a new vision for the world.

33^rd Week in Ord. Time, Monday – 15^th November 2021 — Gospel: Lk 18,35-43

A Transformational Experience 

The blind man, though cowed down by the public, shows remarkable persistence and perseverance in reaching up to Jesus. It is his faith in the healing power of Jesus, which enables him to make strenuous efforts. Finally his faith meets the ever assuring presence of Jesus. By restoring sight, Jesus not only opens his external eyes but also his internal ones, enabling him to look at himself and take a crucial decision. With his newly opened eyes, his inner eyes made him realize the purpose of his life and decides to follow Jesus. The opening of eyes leads him to a conversion: a turning around in his life. The new stage of his life is marked by a complete deviation from the earlier life toward the path of righteousness with Jesus.