I fear Jesus may pass by and never come back - 33rd week monday 2018

When the blind man knew that Jesus was passing by, he shouted excitedly, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!"  It was an super enthusiastic cry so much so that he was told by the crowd to be silent.  Nevertheless, the gospel states, he called out all the more.

St. Augustine was probably reminded of his long years of search for the true faith when, in commenting in today’s gospel he wrote: “I fear Jesus may pass by and never come back.”

Indeed the observation very well describes the motivation, the enthusiasm and even the hardheadedness of the blind man’s approach to Jesus.  He shouted, he frantically called out, for he was afraid Jesus who was passing by will never again come back. 

 

Come to think of it, the lack of growth in our spiritual life is always caused by our slow response, by a lack of interest, a lack of motivation and excitement but never a lack of opportunity.  There were always the opportunities.  We just did not respond to them.  We just did not shout loud enough and respond enthusiastically enough like the blind man.

Today St. Augustine is reminding us, I fear Jesus may pass by and never come back.  We will not make the opportunity for growth pass us by.