Daily HOMILY for November 18, 2013: Monday of 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

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In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute.  Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more:  https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/

Monday 33^rd Week OT

Cleveland Priests’ Retreat

November 18, 2013

I WANT TO SEE ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  J stops & orders man 2B brought 2 him

Ø  J asks him, “What do you want me to do for you?”

Ø  “’Lord, I want to see,' he replies.”

Ø  Interesting that J asks man what he wants. You might think that it is obvious

Ø  The word translated “see” in Greek is “to gain sight or to regain sight

Ø  The blind beggar is very clear what he wants: to regain his sight!

WHY JESUS ASKS HIM ++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Why would J ask the obvious?

Ø  Two reasons come to mind:

Ø  (1) To energize faith and cause it to be vocalized or

Ø  (2) To help the person himself determine what he wants from J

Ø  This question of J is unique and only parallel is Pool of Bethesda, where J asks paralyzed man, “Do you want to get well?”

Ø  Man's answer seems to indicate that he does

WHY WE ASK +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Js' question, “What do you want me to do for you?" can B useful 4 us in our own self-undrstndng and R ministry to another

Ø  We might be encouraged to ask ourselves or a parishioner: “How do U want me 2 pray for you?” or “What do you want J 2 do 4 U?” & then actually pray 4 and with the person

Ø  In this way we listen both 2 person & 2 voice of G's Spirit in determining how to care for someone

BENEATH THE QUESTION +++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  Keep in mind some people do NOT really want 2B healed

Ø  A blessing or prayer, perhaps, but not real healing

Ø  They’re comfortable w/ their condition & niche of caring that the illness has created 4 them

Ø  To ask “Do you want to be healed?” can be like asking, “Would you like to get off welfare?”

Ø  Yes, of course, at one level, but they may have become dependent & R not willing 2 give up dependence 4 something better, even if J offers it

CONCLUSION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ø  A question can help surface this ambivalence in self & others so it can be dealt with

Ø  It can open them to a decision to be healed by J

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++