Discipleship as Vision, Conviction, and Response!

Monday, November 20, 2023

1 Mc 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63; Lk 18:35-43

In today’s Gospel, we find a model of discipleship in the blind man healed by Jesus!

There are three ways in which he inspires us. 

His Vision: He was blind, but he had vision. Though Jesus was always surrounded by a huge crowd, it was very hard for them to appreciate him for who he was. As a result, the crowd was ‘blindly’ following Jesus. But the blind man, who had no sight, could recognize Jesus’ identity and acknowledge his lordship. Saved by his vision, he receives sight from Jesus. 

His Conviction: The crowd does not seem to understand the blind man’s need for healing. But that does not deter the blind man from calling out the name and identity of Jesus. In fact, his cry increases in direct contradiction to the increasing rebukes to silence him. It is here that we find the power of conviction at work in the blind man. His conviction that he is doing the right thing is more empowering than intimidating. He looks more liberated by his convictions. 

His Response: After receiving his sight, the blind man gives an adorable response. He starts following Jesus. In his discipleship, he manifests gratitude to God. Moreover, by what he does, he also inspires the crowd to come up with a similar response of giving praise and glory to God. In sum, he helps us realize what real healing should look like in life. 

Let us pray to God for the kind of vision, conviction, and response that the blind man demonstrates!

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar