Breaking the Word

33^rd Week in Ord. Time, Tuesday – 21^st November 2023 – 2 Macc 6,18-31; Lk 19,1-10

Uncompromised Loyalty

The first reading presents the heroism of Eleazar, an aged Jewish scribe and most respected by his contemporaries. As a man of dignity and integrity, he is willing to die rather than defile himself by eating meat forbidden by the law of God. When it comes down to making a choice of adhering to the law or going along with his friends, he chooses to be faithful to his relationship with God. He would not have been able to live with himself if he had followed his friends’ advice. He prefers to obey his conscience and stand firm in being faithful. He does not want to give a false impression to anyone, especially to the youth. He is willing to be flogged to death and would never escape from his accountability to God. Obviously, Eleazar gave the ultimate sign of martyrdom by his commitment to God rather than pleasing his oppressors. In embracing his death, he left a striking example of nobility and goodness not only for the young, but for the greater part of the nation. His martyrdom and heroism are not upheld because of his bravery in the face of death, but of his integrity, his refusal to compromise on vital issues.

33^rd Week in Ord. Time, Monday – 20^th November 2023 —             Lk 18,35-43

Mercy sought and bestowed

The story of blind man of Jericho is sandwiched between the third passion predictions of Jesus and Zacchaeus’ story of salvation. Between these two manifestations is a manifestation of mercy, sought and bestowed. What stands out about this blind man is that he twice calls on Jesus by name, affixing that impressive title “Son of David,” without ever having met him. Onlookers try to quieten him. Undeterred he ignores all the voices and demands mercy. The rich young man wanted eternal life, James and John wanted glory, but this blind beggar wanted only mercy. He doesn’t even specify the nature of the mercy until Jesus puts the question to him plainly. On receiving his sight he learns, “your faith has saved you,” a statement applied only to one other person in the Gospel, the sinful woman forgiven in the house of Simon, the Pharisee. Restored to sight, the blind man didn’t go his way, but “followed Jesus, giving praise to God,” exhibiting a new way of being Jesus’ disciple.