HE SHOUTED ALL THE LOUDER

PRAYER MOMENT 

Monday 17 November 2014

HE SHOUTED ALL THE LOUDER

                     

Pause. Be still in God’s presence.

Reading: “The blind man called out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me’ The people  scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he shouted all the louder, ‘Son of David, have pity on me.’” (Luke 18:35-43)

Reflection. We start the book of Revelations today and it opens with the words, ‘the time is close.’ What time? The end of the world? The Second Coming? Probably the writer had some such ideas as the whole paschal mystery is charged with expectancy. But the overall context in the gospels is that we know nothing of “times and seasons.” What the scriptures consistently put before us is the time of decision. Every page speaks of it. Here we have the blind man who takes his chance, makes his decision. He makes his move and he is not put off by the scolding of the people. He gives exactly the response that Jesus is looking for and, of course, he is rewarded. How easy it is for us to ‘let opportunities slip.’ Each day – and that means today Monday (!) – presents us with moments of decision. Some I respond well to; others I let slip!

Prayer. Lord, help us to respond to the moments that preset themselves to us. Give us the courage and imagination we need.  Amen.  

David Harold-Barry SJ