Your faith has saved you

1 Macc. 1:10-15.41-43.54-57.62-64, Lk. 18:35-43. The Maccabeenians' revolt was against the attempt to force pagan customs on the Israelites. In today's first reading, their political master, king Antiochus of Syria, wanted to impose his own cultural and religious preferences upon all nations subject to him. So the Jews were also pressured to conform to the kind of Hellenistic beliefs and practices that were popular in Syria since it was conquered by Alexander the Great. Antiochus provoked a military crisis by trying to suppress the Jewish religion and make them embrace the ways of the Greeks. However, the people remain steadfast because of the faith they have in God. Such strong faith is expressed in today’s Gospel, when Jesus returns the sight of a blind man who was sitting at the side of the road.

Jesus states: “Your faith has saved you,” as He performs the miracle and gives back the blind man’s sight. Let us also reflect on many times throughout the day, evening and week that our "faith has saved us." Let us allow our eyes to be opened in another way. Our faith and prayer this week should prevent us from acting bitter or angry; it should stop us from displaying unloving/uncaring behaviours to our families and friends. The blind man sitting at the Jericho gate needed his eyesight restored, so he asked Jesus aloud: “Lord, that I may see!” Undeterred by the bystanders who tried to silence him, he persisted and shouted even more loudly. After receiving back the gift of his sight, he began to follow Jesus, giving glory to God. His life now had a new focus. The shining sun, the palm trees in the oasis, the birds gliding in the sky, the bees buzzing in His garden, these whole wonderful world were visible as he followed Jesus along the way.

May the Lord grant us grace and strong will to overcome all obstacles that obstruct us from reaching God! Amen!! Good morning, do have a fruitful week!!!