34th Sunday after Pentecost

Title

Faith before Sight

Outline

Have you ever been looking for something and did not know where to look

It might have been a school or job that fit you

It may have been a relationship - you wanted a friend or spouse

It may have been church community

Perhaps you knew what you wanted, but were told you were too stupid or too unworthy to get there

The blind man near Jericho felt like that

He was a beggar - viewed as rejected by God, viewed as below the lowest stratum of society, an object of charity - he is unnamed, and even when his name is give as Bartimaeus it is not his name, for it only names his father

There is some important personage moving through the city - perhaps that meant more alms, perhaps that meant “better get out of the way” - important data for beggars

It is Jesus of Nazareth - the prophet from Nazareth - some said that he was Messiah, some said he was deluded, but all said he was a healer - the blind man had formed his opinion, but had never thought he would be this close to him

Addressing him by his Messianic name he cries for the alms that only such a one could give: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.”

“Shut up,” he is told, for he was belong the dignity of such a one and was damaging the image of the city. He is desperately searching in which direction to call, and only calls louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

The noise of the crowd grows quiet. What is up? Someone says, “He is calling you; come, this way.” The blind man staggers forward, perhaps guided by helpful bystanders. One gospel says he threw aside his outer garment, his most decent piece of clothing, the one he spread out for alms.

“What do you want me to do for you?”

The Messiah makes him state his request - some do not ask for their real need - “Lord, let me receive my sight.”

Now he already had insight, as we see in “Son of David,” but he could not physically recognize anyone and knew little about him.

Now he sees and that he sees confirms his insight. And Jesus changes his status from unknown blind man, refuse of the city and rejected by God, to disciple of the Messiah, shouting glory to God as if he were a crier before a great king. The people no longer try to shut him up, but instead take up his praises of God.

Brothers and sisters, the story is a parable of us

We existed as sinners, and in some areas of our life we still do, for we do not know the way and have missed the way

We cry out to Jesus in trust, perhaps not knowing exactly what we want. We may not even know if Jesus is passing by or if Jesus can hear us.

Jesus asks us, “What do you want?” Maybe all we can say is, “Lord you know all things, you know what my heart wants, what I need, but I do not.” Maybe we know that it is “seeing” in some way.

Jesus’ touch transforms us, each time he touches us he transforms some part of us. But it means leaving the old way of life behind, walking into the darkness until Jesus gives us sight, and then not turning back but following him wherever he leads. In this case he was heading to Jerusalem to die and rise.

Where are you in this story? It is there that God meets us in this gospel. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

Readings

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) 1-23-2022: Thirty-First Sunday after Pentecost

EPISTLE

Option A

(31st Sunday, Greek)

1 Timothy 1:15–17

15 The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the foremost of sinners; 16 but I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience for an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) 1-23-2022: Thirty-First Sunday after Pentecost

GOSPEL

Luke 18:35–43

35  As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; 36 and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 And he cried, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me receive my sight.” 42  And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” 43 And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

Notes

Byzantine Lectionary (Revised Julian) (1-23-2022: Thirty-First Sunday after Pentecost)

SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2022 | OCTOECHOS

THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Matins Gospel John 20:19–31

Epistle 1 Timothy 1:15–17 (31st Sunday, Greek) or Colossians 3:12–16 (30th Sunday, Slavic)

Gospel Luke 18:35–43