Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – 33rd Week in Ordinary time – Monday – Luke 18:35-43

The Gospel reading from the Mass for Monday for the 33rd Week of Ordinary Time is Luke 18:35-43.

On the way to His Passion, Christ taught, prophesied about His death and resurrection and miraculously healed those with incurable illnesses. In a tour de force of miraculous healing, Christ healed a crippled women (skeletal), a man with dropsy (circulatory),10 lepers (skin); Near Jericho, He now miraculously gives a blind man sight.

The long suffering blind man who begs to survive, desperately attempts to find out why the great throngs of people are going by. Evidentially, the blind man knows of Jesus and perhaps has even waited for Him; the man cries out with some familiarity, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” The blind man knows who Jesus is, that Jesus can miraculously heal and that He is perhaps the Messiah (Son of David).  The crowd, enamored and annoyed, tells the man to shut-up; ironically, the man is crying out for mercy and the crowd shows no mercy. The blind man, spiritually moved by the presence of God, shouts even louder with a “blind faith” in Christ.

In a rebuke and a lesson in mercy to the crowd, Christ stops and commands the crowd to bring the blind man forward. While He knows what the man wants, Christ asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man demonstrates complete faith; addresses Christ as “Lord”, believes in Christ has miraculous healing power and respectfully requests Christ to heal him. With simply a word, Christ restores the man’s sight and tells the man that he is not only physically healed but spiritually healed (the word used for “heal” can also be rendered “saved”). Realizing he has been both healed and saved, the man glorifies God and follows Christ. The man’s miraculous healing and his faith and gratitude to God stirs the previously unmerciful crowd to give praise to God.

Awed by Jesus Christ – Son of David, Christ recognized by many as the long awaited Messiah. Divine Physician, Christ has the ability to heal those with devastating disabilities. Divine Mercy, Christ reaches out to those who come to Him in faith in their suffering. Divine Teacher, Christ uses miraculous healings to teach men about faith and mercy.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) Despite the residue blessing of still living in a largely Christian culture, the poor and suffering are often passed by, overlooked, exploited for political gain or enfeebled with dependency. Reflect upon Christ’s Divine Mercy and the priority He places on helping strangers; be awed by His miraculous healing powers.

2) The healed man’s shouts of gratitude not only justly gives God glory for healing but is also spurs others to glorify God; publicly giving God glory for His blessings to you can help lead others to God. Reflect on the importance of Gratitude (CCC 800, 1360, 1418, 2097, 2099, 2215, 2218, 2239, 2251, 2280, 2362) and pray for Christ to give you a grateful heart that draws others to Him.

3) A Catholic man who lacks concrete acts of mercy is not imitating Christ. Review the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy (CCC 2447) and pray for Christ to give you the faith and fortitude to make a substantial difference in the lives of the poor and suffering.

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Joyful Mysteries

Daily Devotion – The Souls in Purgatory

Virtue of the Day – Prudence

Corporal Work of Mercy – To give drink to the thirsty

Spiritual Work of Mercy – To instruct the ignorant