Today’s Scripture
Reading (November 2, 2017): Matthew 20
Mother Teresa said that “If
we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each
other.” We struggle with understanding her words. The truth is that I know some
very generous people. But those in need often want more, because in this world
there seems to be no end to the “need.” Often we can do something, but we can’t
do everything.
On top of this, we have all
heard the story of panhandlers hiding their BMW’s away from the place where
they practice their struggle, asking passing motorists for money. A while back
a man came into my office asking for money for gas and food, and after talking with
him for a while, I watched him drive away in his brand new Ford Truck. There was
just something incongruous about the
situation. I have long since stopped carrying cash with me, and a lot of the
problem is not a reticence to help, but instead
understanding when help is really needed.
I am convinced that if we understood the
level of need in our world, the generous souls exist that can take care of that
need. Our problem is that the drain on generous souls by those who are not in
need have worn out the potential for help. I think many do understand that we
belong to each other, that there is a burden placed on those with material
wealth to care for those who lack. But our struggle is often the task of reaching
beyond the false and seeing the need.
I have no idea what was
happening in Jesus midst on this day. Maybe Jesus’s disciples had forgotten
that we belong to each other. But I think, perhaps,
that the struggle of the disciples was similar to the one that we face on a
daily basis. The need seemed to be overwhelming, and part of the problem was
that charlatans existed all over the place who only wanted to take advantage of
the generosity of those who would pass by.
So as the two blind men cry for Jesus, they quickly try to protect their rabbi
from the demands of the men.
But the story changes because
Jesus saw them. He understood their need – and realized
that the need was real. Because Jesus saw
them, he had compassion for them. And he restored their sight. It was all that
they wanted from him. Jesus understood that he and the two men belonged to each
other, and because of that, Jesus was willing to do something.
I need the same miracle. I need
to see the world through the eyes of
Jesus. I need to look beyond the
deception to the real problems of this world. I know that we belong to each
other, but sometimes I struggle with what that means as I face the need of my community. I need Jesus’s eyes, and
the willingness to see and react with compassion. And I don’t think I am alone.
We all need Jesus to touch our eyes so
that we can see the need, and understand that we do belong to each other.
Tomorrow’s Scripture
Reading: Mark 10
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