'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~~~

Daughter, Your Faith has Saved You

~~~ Wisdom 1: 13-15; 2:23-24 ~~~ Psalm 30 ~~~ 2 Cor.8:7,9, 13-15 ~~~ Mark 5: 21-43 ~~~

Daughter, your faith has saved you.

(Mark 5:34)

The woman in today's gospel who had been bleeding for twelve years and the little twelve year old have more in common than you might think.

Both of these daughters wanted to choose life.

The child was choosing life through the intercession of her father.

The woman chose life by taking action herself to seek out Jesus.

The two females were blessed with restored life through the love and mercy of Jesus. 

"...For he fashioned all things that they might have being..."

(Wisdom)

Paul tells us that we live and move and have our being in him.

(Acts 17:28)

Daughter, your faith has saved you.

(Mark 5:34)

The adult woman in this gospel had been suffering for over a decade.

She was in a desparate state of mind.

The psalm chosen for today expresses how distraught she must have felt.

She may have even prayed this very psalm.

The Lord did indeed rescue her from her despair.

He had pity on her because she allowed her faith to lead her actions.

It was through her faith that she found the courage and

the strength to even approach Jesus.

Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;
O LORD, be my helper.

I can just imagine how her long years of mourning were suddenly

 turned into joyful dancing. I can just visualize how this woman

went about spreading the good news of her healing. I can hear her passionately

giving thanks to the Lord; perhaps even singing hymns of praise

morning noon and night.

Today it is difficult for us to understand what her life was truly

like as an outcast of society.

How difficult it must have been for her to just survive from one day to the next.

How physically, emotionally, and spiritually deprived she had become over time.

You changed my mourning into dancing;
O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.
(Psalm 30)

If you look closely at your life what causes you to dance with joy?

Have you found healing of mind, body, or spirit?

Have you ever felt close to despair because of a long term situation?

I invite you to give thanks to the Lord for all that he has done for you.

Thank the Lord in advance for the healing that is yet to come in your life.

Daughter, your faith has saved you.

(Mark 5:34)