Fr Kevin Kilgore

***

“Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village.”

***

Imagine being this blind man.

Imagine being led by the hand of Jesus to the edge of town. You don’t know where you’re going, where the next turn is, or where the next pebble in your path may be.

All you know is that you’re clinging to the hand of a man with the reputation of being a miracle worker, hoping he will give you your sight.

Clinging to Jesus’ hand demanded vulnerability and trust; but the risk was worth it.

As the Gospel tells us, after Jesus led him to the edge of town, he restored the blind man’s sight; Jesus gave him exactly what he wanted.

But more importantly, they also developed a relationship of trust along the way.

***

How often have we felt like that blind man, unsure of what our future held?

Or how often have we prayed for the resolution to a problem that seemed to drag on?

***

If we’re feeling that way today – if we feel blind or insecure about our future – picture this blind man leaning on Jesus, letting Jesus lead him step-by-step.

There really was no other option for him.

That’s what we must do, too.

Prayer is our way of leaning on Jesus, of trusting that he’s leading us to the edge of town, that place and time where our prayer will be answered.

***

But for now, just imagine Jesus saying, “Don’t give up. Just keep walking.”

***

“Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them, ‘Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within [a person’s heart] are what defile” (Mark 7:14-23).

***

Jesus’ words were scandalous at the time he spoke them, because he directly accused the scribes and Pharisees of being hypocrites, phonies.

To be a hypocrite originally referred to someone who was an “actor on a stage.”

But Jesus develops this idea, saying that the scribes and Pharisees’ entire lives are a piece of acting – their words are no more than a script.

***

Unfortunately, we know this phenomenon did not end in the era of Jesus. There have been – and always will be – some people who use religion as a cloak.

Though they appear to be holy on the outside, they’re defiled within.

***

We must be careful, however, not to overlook ourselves and feel unchallenged by the Gospel.

Though we are all men and women of good will and tangible faith, we all must wrestle with the devil. And sometimes the fruit of that encounter leaves us with unkind thoughts or unhealthy feelings.

But the fact that we struggle – the fact that we wrestle with him and do not give up – is a sign that the devil has not taken from us what he desires most.

Our faith remains intact; our love for Jesus, strong.

The invitation from Jesus today is to take whatever struggles we may have within and place them at his feet, because we never have to fight alone.

Jesus is the one who puts the devil in his place.

***

“He said to them…”Come by yourselves…and rest a while.’” (Mark 6:30-34)

***

People were rushing at the disciples from every angle; thousands needed to be healed, cured, and inspired. And I’m sure the disciples wanted to help them all.

But Jesus teaches his disciples that, if they are not to suffer from burn out, then they must take time away for themselves and pray. 

Otherwise, the wellspring of their inner lives will run dry.

In a word, the disciples need to find a balance between service and prayer.

***

Balance is something we can all struggle to find. 

How often, for example, are we torn between two good things?

Or how often do we feel unbalanced, overworked, dry within?

***

The Lord is reminding us today of our need for prayer – and in particular, of silent time with Lord. The Lord already knows our needs and wants; silence is simply a way for him to replenish us.

Prayer is not a “bonus” in this life, something that we should do if – and only if – we can find the time.

Rather, it is the source behind our good works. 

Let’s rest with the Lord today. Take ten minutes before the day’s end and sit with the Lord in silence. Allow him to fill your heart with his grace and peace.

Then we’ll be ready to love and serve our neighbor.