Naysayers

Readings for Monday November 16, 2009

First Reading: 1 Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 119
Gospel: Luke 18:35-43


As Jesus approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!” Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He replied, “Lord, please let me see.” Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God. (Lk 18:35-43)

One thing that I cannot stand is a naysayer. A naysayer is usually a pessimist, someone who is always trying to rain on someone else's parade and tell them that something can't be done. Many of us have probably went to school with or even worked with a naysayer. Some of us probably even have naysayers in our own families. In today's gospel, the blind man by the road was surrounded by naysayers. He called out to Jesus, but all they did was rebuke him and tell him to be quiet. This could have been a discouraging moment in the blind man's life, but instead of listening to the naysayers, he chose to have courage and call out to Jesus even more.

The blind man teaches us today that we should not listen to the naysayers around us, but we should rather instead focus on Christ. We should not listen to other people when they tell us that it is silly or a waste of time to follow God, instead we should follow Him all the more. We should not listen to people who tell us something is impossible, but we should know that with God all things are possible. In this world we will always encounter naysayers, and it can be very discouraging to hear negativity coming from all directions, but as long as we keep focused on Christ and never stop calling out to Him then He will guide our path and make things clear for us.

I pray that like the blind man, we may all be given the great gift of sight, in order to see God working in our lives and to see His great blessings that have been given to us all. I pray that He will help us to see clearly, and to ignore the naysayers of this world.

Father above, we thank you and give you praise for this day. Lord, you are so good to us, and we are very thankful for your great love and mercy. Lord, help us to see, help us to have courage in this world so that we may do your will without giving up. We pray for all of those in the military, may your hand guide and protect them in all that they do. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.