For some Sundays now, the second reading has been taken from the New Testament writing known as the Letter to the Hebrews, which is actually a very well articulated sermon. This sermon explains how Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and his glorification at the right hand of the Father is the act by which we truly obtain forgiveness of sins and the ability to approach the presence of God. That sacrifice rendered the ancient rites obsolete and marked the expiration date of the sacrifices offered in the temple in Jerusalem, as well as of all the rites and cults of the world’s religions. The only sacrifice that reconciles us with God, that obtains forgiveness and that leads us to the presence of the Father is that of Christ. There is no other (cf. Acts 4:12).
The only sacrifice that reconciles us with God, that obtains forgiveness and that leads us to the presence of the Father is that of Christ.
In this condition, Jesus Christ also replaces the priests of the Old Testament and all other mediators of the spiritual realities of other religions. Jesus Christ is the only priest who mediates between us and God, since he is the Son of God who became one of us in order to sympathize with our weaknesses and bring us to salvation. The author of the sermon highlights in today’s passage the qualities of the high priest of the Old Testament, the first of whom was Aaron, the brother of Moses. The high priest was a man chosen from among the people, who was entrusted with the mission of mediating between God and mankind. He offered gifts and sacrifices with the intention of obtaining forgiveness of sins for mankind and offered prayers, gifts and sacrifices to God on behalf of the people. As a human being, he could understand the weaknesses of men, for he himself was subject to them. Aaron did not appoint himself as high priest, but was chosen and appointed by God.
Christ was also designated by God in the category of high priest when he pronounced the words recorded in Psalm 110: “You are my Son, this day have I begotten you” and added “You are an eternal priest, after the order of Melchizedek”. The Son of God, in becoming one of us, sympathized with us and shared our weaknesses, except for sin. That is why He also has compassion on our pains and sufferings and has mercy on us sinners. In such a condition, He is the only savior and mediator we have. There is no other who is worthy before God.
The Son of God, in becoming one of us, was in solidarity with us and shared our weaknesses, except for sin.
This merciful attitude, capable of compassion for the suffering of men, was expressed by Jesus Christ during his life when he healed the sick, cleansed the lepers, gave sight to the blind and forgave the sins of those who came to him repentant of their evil deeds. Today’s Gospel passage is one of many accounts of a healing performed by Jesus. However, it must be understood that the bodily healings that Jesus performed before his death were told later with the intention of presenting the spiritual healing that Jesus had brought about by his death and resurrection. In effect, the healings occurred before his death and resurrection, but they were narrated and written about afterwards, which made it possible to discover a deeper meaning in Jesus’ miracles.
In today’s scene, a blind man, whose name is remembered, Bartimaeus, was sitting by the roadside. Jesus leaves the city of Jericho on his way to Jerusalem. There he will be received as the Messiah amidst acclamations and palm branches. But now, the blind man also acclaims Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of David: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”. Although many try to silence him, he persists in his cry, until Jesus stops and sends for him. The blind man appears before Jesus, who asks him what favor he wishes to receive. The blind man answers, “Master, that I may see.
The blind man comes to Jesus, who asks him what favor he wishes to receive. The blind man responds, “Master, that I may see”.
In the original context, the blind man was apparently asking for light for his eyes. In the story, after the resurrection, we understand that the blind man’s request has a deeper meaning. “To be able to see” is another way of saying, “Enlighten my life, give it meaning and direction; that I may see where I have come from and where I am going.” Jesus answered him, “Go, your faith has saved you.” The blind man regained his sight and began to follow Jesus along the road. But it is necessary to examine Jesus’ response. The blind man had asked to be able to see. Jesus does not say to him: “Regain your sight”. He says to him, “Go, your faith has saved you.” Jesus’ answer goes beyond what the blind man asked for; the gift that Christ brought him was salvation by faith, and not only the sight to see. The sight recovered was a symbol of the faith acquired, because faith is light that illuminates and illuminates our path. That is why the baptized are given a lighted candle, because with faith they receive the spiritual sight that allows them to find the meaning of their life in God.
In this Eucharist we conclude the month dedicated to the Virgin Mary in her invocation of the Rosary. She is the Mother of mercy, for she gave human existence to the Son of God, whose infinite mercy brought us salvation by his death on the cross and communicates it to us every day with the gift of the Holy Spirit. We thank the Virgin Mary for her intercession and protection for us. During the month of October, and especially during the novena, countless faithful Catholics have visited the Cathedral with a petition, a thank you or a song of praise on their lips. We ask God to welcome in his goodness and compassion the expressions of faith and hope that have been manifested in so many ways in this church and in all the places where the intercession of the Virgin Mary has been invoked. May God’s grace grant us to live with joy and hope.
We thank the Virgin Mary for her intercession and protection for us. May God’s grace grant us to live with joy and hope.
At the end of this year will begin the Jubilee of the quarter century, which will extend through 2025. It will be a year to become aware of God’s forgiveness offered with full hands through the sacrament of baptism for those who are beginning their Christian life, and the sacrament of penance for those of us who are already baptized. May the Virgin Mary also accompany us and awaken in us the joy of faith and holiness.