Friday, December 6, 2019, St. Nicholas
Isaiah 29:17-24, Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14, Matthew 9:27-31
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/120619.cfm
BLIND BIND
"As Jesus moved on from there, two blind men came after Him crying out, 'Son of David, have pity on us!' " -Matthew 9:27
What if you went blind right now? How would Christmas be? The Church speaks to us today about blindness. It implies we have been spiritually blinded by sin. If not healed, our blindness will ruin Christmas since we cannot see Christ, the meaning of Christmas.
The Lord promises through the prophet Isaiah: "Out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see" (Is 29:18). Jesus stretches forth His hand to touch our eyes, so we may recover our sight (Mt 9:30). We can be healed when we admit we need healing. May Jesus not have to say to us what He said to the Pharisees: " 'But we see,' you say, and your sin remains" (Jn 9:41).
When we admit our blindness, then we must admit its cause, that is, sin. The Lord calls us to confess our sins to one another to find forgiveness and healing (Jas 5:16). Without Advent repentance and Confession, we will have Christmas blindness. Instead of celebrating Christ, the Light of the world, we will be groping in the kingdom of darkness.
Don't miss out on Christ, Christmas, Light, and Life. Go to Confession. Be reconciled. Cry out (Mt 9:27) for Jesus' mercy: Lord, "I want to see" (Mk 10:51). "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I'm found, was blind but now I see."
Prayer: Holy Spirit, convict all who do not admit their spiritual blindness.
Promise: "The lowly will ever find joy in the Lord, and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. For the tyrant will be no more and the arrogant will have gone." -Is 29:19-20
Praise: St. Nicholas was bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey. He is venerated in both East and West for his charity. He served God faithfully by serving the poor.
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?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 2, 2019
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