Daily reflection _ He saves us and makes us whole

HE SAVES US AND MAKES US WHOLE
"Jesus asked him, 'What do you want Me to do for you?' He replied, 'Lord, let me see'" (Lk 18:40b-41).  
Deacon John Ruscheinsky
We can say there's a certain kind of blindness that comes over those in power. But, unlike the blind man in the Gospel, they seem to have no wish to see clearly the meaning and purpose of religion. The truth is that we ourselves run the danger of being blind to the fact that we are being persecuted and opposed because of our religious beliefs. We will not be imprisoned for practicing our Faith, but we could lose our jobs or careers, or perhaps not be as popular as we would like to be as a result of our Faith. For example, a judge standing up to keep the Ten Commandments in their place in front of a government building. He will be persecuted.
Most likely, we will probably never have to face martyrdom but still, some have. We can look at the young victim of a high-school shooting who was asked, "Do you still believe in God?" After her confirmed response, "Yes," she was killed. For the most part, though, we might see opposition in more subtle ways which, therefore, can be more dangerous for us if we truly don't see. Our society has many values that are the exact opposite of the teachings of Jesus. These so called "values" can influence us and have just as much force as a sword or gun to turn us away from our Faith.
In today's Gospel we hear about a blind man's request. "Jesus asked him, 'What do you want Me to do for you?' He replied, 'Lord, let me see'" (Lk 18:40b-41). Even before the blind man's eyesight is restored he "sees" clearly, spiritually and with great faith. He sees Jesus as "Son of David." He knew that Jesus was the Messiah people longed to see coming from the house of the line of David. The blind man sees this in Jesus; his faith has given this vision, this trust that Jesus can restore him. This man was tried in the same way that our society can test us.
The blind man was determined to get Jesus' attention and he was persistent in the face of opposition. Jesus showed that acting was more important than talking. This man was in desperate need and Jesus was ready, not only to empathize with his suffering, but to relieve it as well.
It is Jesus who saves us and makes us whole!