Thirty-Third Monday of Ordinary Time

As Jesus approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!”

There are many voices in our lives that tell us to remain silent about our faith. Sometimes our family doesn’t want to hear our beliefs. Sometimes our friends don’t want to hear us. Sometimes our neighbors want us to keep our faith to ourselves. Much of the time it is our own fears, insecurities, and doubts that keep our lips sealed. However, we should not allow any person, including ourselves, keep us from proclaiming the Good News. It is part of our calling as Christians to give witness. This is not to say that we should do so to make a spectacle of ourselves, that is not the point. Rather, we do so because it is the right thing to do.

Are we willing to express our faith even when others will frown upon it? Do we echo the words of the blind man, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on us”? Are we willing to witness to our faith no matter what others might say?

O Lord, give us the strength to proclaim our faith.

Amen.