EYE-OPENING FREEDOM
“At that very moment he was given his sight and began to follow Him, giving God the glory.” –Luke 18:43
Mass Readings: November 14
First: Revelation 1:1-4; 2:1-5; Resp: Psalm 1:1-4,6; Gospel: Luke 18:35-43
In the coming year, a world in slavery can be freed, debts can be forgiven, and the dispossessed can have their lands and lives restored to them (see Lv 25:8ff). Because our society is so far removed from God’s Biblical order and because we are in such great need, most people, even Christians, don’t see how freedom will ever happen. Can we realistically expect bankers to forgive debts? How many large landowners will give their land back to the poor? Will we suddenly be freed from all our addictions, compulsions, phobias, and anxieties?
Jesus promised not only to free slaves but also to open the eyes of the blind (Lk 4:18). Before we begin the new Church year, we must have our eyes opened. With the blind man of Jericho, we must cry out to Jesus: “I want to see” (Lk 18:41). Until we can see with the eyes of faith, how can we walk by faith and not by merely natural sight? (see 2 Cor 5:7) Until we can walk by faith, we cannot walk in freedom.
We must have spiritual sight to even entertain the thought of freedom. Pray: “Lord, I want to see” (see Lk 18:41).
PRAYER: Father, let me see “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” the way You see them.
PROMISE: “I hold this against you, though: you have turned aside from your early love. Keep firmly in mind the heights from which you have fallen. Repent, and return to your former deeds.” –Rv 2:4-5
PRAISE: Robert writes to and visits prisoners to share how Jesus set him free from sin.
