Purposeful Living!

Monday, November 17, 2025

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

Today’s Gospel highlights Jesus and the blind man as two purposeful characters. 

Jesus is passing through Jericho on his way to Jerusalem. And the blind man is begging.

But how are they each purposeful in their own ways?

It is amazing how the blind man keeps himself open to know what happens around him. Though he was blind, his lack of eyesight did not prevent him from asking, ‘What is happening?’ On hearing that Jesus is passing by the place, he starts invoking the name of Jesus loudly. But when others rebuke him, he only intensifies his shout so that he starts calling out Jesus’ name all the more. The blind man not only knew what he wanted but also knew who could give him that. Hence, his shouts indicate the fact that he threw everything at drawing the attention of Jesus. The fact that he gains the Lord’s attention proves that he is very purposeful. 

The Lord is portrayed as very purposeful in the way he responds to the loud cry of the blind man. The scholars believe that, during their travels, a rabbi like Jesus usually attracted a large crowd who wanted to listen to their teachings and get enlightened by answers. This explains why Jesus, the itinerant preacher, always had a crowd around him. Despite the crowd around him and keeping him busy, Jesus is able to pay attention to a lone cry for help. Jesus’ sensitive attention to the blind man proceeds from his self-awareness of who he is and what he could give to the needy. The sensitivity and compassion of Jesus make him purposeful.

Thus, the Gospel text teaches wonderful lessons through the characters of the blind man and Jesus. The blind man becomes an example of what it means to pray while Jesus teaches us what it means to give. The blind man meets his helping hands. And Jesus dries his tears. 

Let us pray that we may learn the art of discipleship from the blind man’s example.

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar