33rd Week in Ordinary Time
20th November 2023 (Monday) Readings and Reflection
Psalter: Week 1
Reading of the Day
First Reading: 1 Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-64
In those days: There came forth a sinful root, Antiochus Epiphanes son of King Antiochus; he had been a hostage in Rome. He began to reign in the one hundred thirty-seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks. In those days lawless men came forth from Israel and misled many, saying, “Let us go and make a covenant with the Gentiles round about us, for since we separated from them many evils have come upon us.” This proposal pleased them, and some of the people eagerly went to the king. He authorised them to observe the ordinances of the Gentiles. So they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem, according to gentile custom, and removed the marks of circumcision and abandoned the holy covenant. They joined with the Gentiles and sold themselves to do evil. Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people and that each should give up his customs. All the Gentiles accepted the command of the king. Many even from Israel gladly adopted his religion; they sacrificed to idols and profaned the Sabbath. Now on the fifteenth day of Chislev, in the one hundred forty-fifth year, they erected a desolating sacrilege upon the altar of whole burnt offering. They also built altars in the surrounding cities of Judah and burned incense at the doors of the houses and in the streets. The books of the law that they found they tore to pieces and burned with fire. Where the book of the covenant was found in the possession of anyone or if anyone adhered to the law, the decree of the king condemned him to death. But many in Israel stood firm and were resolved in their hearts not to eat unclean food. They chose to die rather than to be defiled by food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die. And very great wrath came upon Israel.
Psalm 119:53, 61, 134, 150, 155, 158 (R. see 88)
R/. Give me life, O Lord, and I will keep your commands.
Alleluia
V/. Alleluia R/. Alleluia
V/. . I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel : Luke 18:35-43
It happened that, as Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 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!” And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Highlight: Lord, let me see!
Guidlines: True faith is the interior sight that enables one to see what is true, good and pleasing in God’s sight. Any abandonment of faith is nothing but blindness{alertSuccess}
1. In the gospel, Jesus heals a blind man. His persistence is a striking fact. When he begins to cry out to Jesus to heal him, the people around rebuke him to be silent. But he cries out all the more. This has a semblance in the first reading from the first Maccabees.
2. Israel was surrounded by the Gentiles and misled by some lawless men. Many from Israel abandoned the holy covenant and sold themselves to do evil. However, many others in Israel stood firm. They chose to die and did die rather than to be defiled or to profane the holy covenant.
3. This is an inspiration and challenge to all the followers of Christ and all the believers of God. When there are so many opposing forces, when there are many negative and misleading influences, still can they remain clear and firm? Even when their life is at stake because of their choice for God and justice, can they remain stable and loyal?
4. Especially in our own times, when false values are profitable and rewarding, when compromises bring forth lucrative results and dividends, do we resist and persist? Is it not true that today too there are many who abandon God and sell themselves to do evil, like those in Israel?
5. This is truly the blindness of heart and soul. Disloyalty is that blindness where one fails to see fidelity to God and the right values as the greatest priority in life. Like the blind man who says to Jesus, “Lord, let me receive my sight”, let us also plead with him to give us the sight.
Practice: How many of us are really loyal and persevering to choose to die rather than to be defiled by false trends and values and to profane the holy covenant of God?{alertSuccess}