Lord, please let me see. (Lk 18:41)
What would i ask if i were that man on the side of the road as Jesus passed? A happy man might have nothing to ask, too proud, too busy, a happy man would not be on the side of the road begging all day, right? Yet, that is an assumption. 'Happiness' in today's society seems to have become a great lottery ticket; if my number's called i'll be happy for life. If i only had my health, then i'd be happy. If only i had enough money, then i'd be happier. Are you as happy as i am in this relationship? Society seems to judge itself on the level of its own happiness, even if happiness is subjective.
Rather, happiness is in the details, me thinks, just as God is supposed to be in the details (an architect's saying). Food, water, a good bowel movement, sun in the sky ... i can make a list of criteria that might make up a 'good' day, yet even then, my mood could undermine it all. Those last three pedestrians put nothing in my bowel and i'm sure one of them looked at me with contempt! says the blind man. If my happiness is dependant on so many external and internal factors, what are the odds that i'll ever be happy?
Jesus tells the man that his faith has saved him. With restored sight, will his life be happy? Ten years later, twenty years, will he still think of himself as a happy man? I hope so. Faith in Love can be present in each moment, correcting negative thoughts, ignoring insults, enjoying either sunshine or rain, being humble in work and fair in the dealings with other less scrupulous men. What would i ask to the passing Christ? What is that one glaring obstacle to my leading a holy life? On that, i shall meditate. But in the meantime, call out for the Lord. Keep calling, even if others will have you silent. Keep calling because that is faith. And when the Lord asks "What do you want me to do for you?" i can at least ask for his blessing and thank him, again and again and again.
Oremus:
I would like to pray for those who don't think themselves to be happy, who claim never to have known happiness and who might even wish for an end to their unbearable lives. I pray they might awaken to find peace and light in their day, space for faith to grow and an awareness of other men and women around them. Amen.
Deo gratias.
A blind man knows what he wants from God. Anyone who is suffering would ask to be relieved of bodily infirmaries. It's so easy to forget a handicap when we are healthy. Then a bad cold, fever, a fall or food poisoning and suddenly our day looks very different. Patients with chronic depression beg for an end to their unbearable life. Happiness? How long are we willing and able to suffer?
What would i ask if i were that man on the side of the road as Jesus passed? A happy man might have nothing to ask, too proud, too busy, a happy man would not be on the side of the road begging all day, right? Yet, that is an assumption. 'Happiness' in today's society seems to have become a great lottery ticket; if my number's called i'll be happy for life. If i only had my health, then i'd be happy. If only i had enough money, then i'd be happier. Are you as happy as i am in this relationship? Society seems to judge itself on the level of its own happiness, even if happiness is subjective.
Rather, happiness is in the details, me thinks, just as God is supposed to be in the details (an architect's saying). Food, water, a good bowel movement, sun in the sky ... i can make a list of criteria that might make up a 'good' day, yet even then, my mood could undermine it all. Those last three pedestrians put nothing in my bowel and i'm sure one of them looked at me with contempt! says the blind man. If my happiness is dependant on so many external and internal factors, what are the odds that i'll ever be happy?
Jesus tells the man that his faith has saved him. With restored sight, will his life be happy? Ten years later, twenty years, will he still think of himself as a happy man? I hope so. Faith in Love can be present in each moment, correcting negative thoughts, ignoring insults, enjoying either sunshine or rain, being humble in work and fair in the dealings with other less scrupulous men. What would i ask to the passing Christ? What is that one glaring obstacle to my leading a holy life? On that, i shall meditate. But in the meantime, call out for the Lord. Keep calling, even if others will have you silent. Keep calling because that is faith. And when the Lord asks "What do you want me to do for you?" i can at least ask for his blessing and thank him, again and again and again.
Oremus:
I would like to pray for those who don't think themselves to be happy, who claim never to have known happiness and who might even wish for an end to their unbearable lives. I pray they might awaken to find peace and light in their day, space for faith to grow and an awareness of other men and women around them. Amen.
Deo gratias.
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