'Leap of Faith'

~~~ 1 Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63 ~~~ 

~~ Psalm 119 ~~~ Luke 18:35-43 ~~

The doctrine expressed in the book of Maccabees

 is the customary belief of Israel.

They have been specially chosen 

by the one true God as covenant-partner, 

and they alone are privileged to know and worship God.

The people, in turn, must worship the Lord alone 

and observe exactly the precepts of the law given to them.

We enter here during a time of crisis among the people.

Some of the local Jews began to break away 

from the strict observance of the Jewish laws.

“Let us go and make an alliance with the Gentiles

 all around us;since we separated from them, 

many evils have come upon us.”

The king approved of their proposed alliance with the Gentiles.

Soon the king wrote to the people...

 that all should be one people,

each abandoning his particular customs.

Soon there arose chaos among the people.

They made sacrifices to idols and eventually all the scrolls 

of the law were destroyed.

During this time many Jews resisted and were

put to death...Terrible affliction was upon Israel.

In the gospel we see Jesus showing 

how to be inclusive in a positive peaceful manner.

He restores the sight to a poor beggar

calling out to him from the dirt roadside.

“Lord, please let me see.”

Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.”

The people saw not just the action of Jesus,

but they also witnessed the conversion of the poor beggar.

This man immediately became a follower of Jesus.

This man gave glory to God for his healing.

This man was converted as a result

 of the kindness and mercy of Jesus.

This uneducated filthy beggar recognized Jesus

as the Son of David...the messiah.

Sometimes it is the innocent who have 

the better understanding and insight.

The poor blind beggar was not caught up in the letter of the law.

He did not follow the required rituals.

He was on the road covered with dirt and grime.

He had no idea how repulsive he must have looked,

for he could not see his body.

The blind beggar saw Jesus with his heart of faith.

Somehow he found the courage to believe

 in the healing power of Jesus.

He took a leap of faith...

asked to be healed...

and Jesus restored his sight.

Now his physical sight and his insight 

were joined together.

Have you ever experienced a 'leap of faith'?

Blessings abound when your heart

 and your body are joined together as one.

~~~Peace~~~