"What do you want me to do for you?"

Monday, November 16, 2009
The Joyful Mysteries
St. Margaret of Scotland
St. Gertrude, virgin
1 Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63
Psalm 119:53, 61, 134, 155, 158
Luke 18:35-43

With these readings, Holy Mother Church provides us with selections from Holy Scripture that are connected and work together. Like the early Israelites and the beggar, we know we're in need and each of us searches for what will give us peace and happiness.

The question becomes, are we going to be like the people in the times of Maccabees who sought self-gratification for the answer, forgetting altogether the laws and commands of the one true God? Or, are we going to be like the blind beggar who knows enough to call out, "Jesus Son of David, have pity on me ...I want to see!"

When I read this gospel this evening I tried to place myself (and you, reader) into the account. Jesus, His companions, you and I have been walking for some time toward Jericho. It's hot and all of us would very much like to get inside the walls for some shade and a cool drink. Beside the road sits a blind beggar. We can't avoid noticing his poverty, barely clothed in rags with a noticeable odor and filth. Some in our group scold the poor wretch for calling to the Lord. "How dare this lowly, filthy creature call upon the Son of God!" some say.

"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asks. And without hesitation He gives him his sight. The beggar leaps for joy, praising God. Someone in the back of the group strikes up a rousing song of praise in which we all join as we approach the gates to the city.

Only with our permission can God work in our lives to satisfy us and give us what we really desire. The choice is really quite simple: do we "go it on our own" and suffer the consequences? Or, do we fall at the feet of our loving and merciful God, who you remember, first asked the beggar. "What do you want me to do for you?" And then after receiving an answer from the beggar, He did it!
Jesus tells us that he did not come to be served but to serve. Service with no strings attached. We too are called to be servants, following Christ.

Commit His words to memory: "What do you want me to do for you?" Use them often and follow His example. It will speed your journey toward the gates of His kingdom to the cool water and shade inside.