Jeremiah 31.7-9/ Ps.126.1+2ab,2cd+3,4+6/ Hebrews 5.1-6/ Mark 10.46-52
Let us begin our sharing today by sincerely acknowledging our coldness to boldly express the true spirit of Christian faith and to truly live specifically the meaning of our Baptism in Christ. It may help if we can ask ourselves as to where or for what reason(s) this coldness is coming from. With so much pain and brokenness in the hearts of people, without contemplation indeed paves the way to doubts and disbelief eventually losing faith to the God of love and mercy. Tracing back the history of our Church however, with the similar pain and brokenness we have at present, many were victorious against human frailties/realities dedicating themselves to intense prayer, trust in and obedience to the Will of the Heavenly Father. In history, God had been so faithful to the “generation of faithful(s)” before us. We count on the same God who saves and inspires the present generation amidst human realities.
With the story of the son of Timaeus (Bar-Timaeus) in our gospel reading today, we will eventually realize that faith is indeed a gift. A gift is freely received and we are called (and have the right) to freely express and share that gift of faith. Our faith in the true identity and mission of Jesus saves us.
For many who have lived more than a half of their lives in faith, it may be unthinkable to live without faith. Similarly, those who have dedicated themselves to the life of faith and service through the guidance of our church, it may be unthinkable to be away from our Church despite loopholes we find among us in our Church specially in terms of management and witnessing. What faith it is, how shallow our faith is when troubles and hardships come, we easily give-up. BUT do not worry at all because from little faith we are being lead to a faith-truly deepened in God`s time. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship, danger or any famine? (cf Romans 8.35). May people, things and concerns not prevent us from coming to Jesus. In Jesus, we find real conversion experience that gives us direction to all we are and do. Let us strongly believe that our blindness and the blindness of many other people around us and those far beyond is just temporary because God`s love and mercy is above all human disability.