First Reading - 1 Maccabees 1:10-15,41-64
Gospel - Luke 18:35-43
In the first reading, we come across two contrary figures; the one stands contrary to faith and covenental relationship with God and the other stands exemplary of faith even in the face of persecutions and trials. The first group of people who lead others astray because they rely on humanly power and standard of life, hence they opt to renounce their faith in Yahweh and choose the gods of pagans and worship them. However the other group remains firm in faith, although a few in number. They stand as strong witnesses of faith and reliance on God.
The gospel narrates another example of faith of a blind man sitting at the side of the road and begging. The faith of the man is evident in his calling out to Jesus in the midst of the crowd: "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me." This voice of the blind man was the cry of faith, pleading for mercy. Jesus, even in the midst of shouting crowd, could hear him. This is the impact of the cry of faith.
Dear friends, faith is a powerful weapon that we have that can fight the hardest of our situations and reach out to God in the midst of destructive storms of life. In the first reading, we encounter a small group that remains firm in faith in Yahweh even then the situation was unfavorable and opposing. They were ready to die than choose to break the covenant with God. It's was a devastating storm they faced but they stood firm. It was their faith that kept them strong and upbeat. On the other side, we encounter the blind man in the gospel, a beautiful example of faith. The crowd saw Jesus, heard and followed him but the blind man believed in Jesus. He exhibited his faith in calling out to him for his mercy or favour. People tried to silence him and the shouting crowd was another barrier to get his voice to Jesus but he continued. This shows his faith. It's the faith of the man that becomes a vehicle to reach his message to Jesus even in the midst of a great shouting crowd. This is the impact of the cry of faith. This also tells us that the cry of our faith never goes unanswered or unnoticed. We do listen to Jesus in the the readings and try to follow him but at times faith is not attached to what we do. Every activity that we do should be an act of faith and should become the cry of our faith and we are assured today that this kind of faith will never be unrewarded or unnoticed.
Today we are invited to make our every prayer, a cry of faith like the blind man and we can be sure of an answer from God. Let the disturbances and barriers not prevent us to cry to Jesus. This needs a strong faith and deep conviction. Let's pray for a strong faith and deep conviction of heart like the blind man and the faithful Israel of the first reading.
May God increase our faith.
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