The faithful suffer, but Jesus liberates

A reflection on the daily readings, for Monday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, by Father Perry.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

“Why can’t we all just get along?”

The famous phrase, uttered once upon a time in our very city of Los Angeles, will be remembered forever, especially after the outbreak of a terrible riot linked to the person who uttered this, and to a dreadful beating of this man — the late Rodney King.

The phrase mentioned in the context of this reading from Maccabees is uttered today because we see religion being wrestled away from the Jews: different customs and morals being forced upon them, the need to follow others even in sinful ways, and practices simply to save their lives.

We see it today: women forced to wear face coverings. Girls denied the opportunity for school.

Places of worship of all kinds desecrated. People attacked because they are Jewish or Muslim or Catholic or Hindu.

Well, it seems that these behaviours were in full bloom during this period of the Maccabees, and much suffering ensued.

The psalm cries out: “Give me life, O Lord, and I will do your commands.”

And a whole litany of abusive words and behaviours are expressed like: indignation, snares, wicked, oppression, attacked, malicious persecutors, apostates, and loathing.

While those who wanted to “join the club” and went astray were happy, those who wanted to remain faithful suffered; many were put to death. Yikes!

+ On the other hand, Jesus liberated; Jesus freed people from the things and circumstances that were binding them — from suffering and illness and deprivation.

And so a blind man hears of Jesus’ presence nearby, and nothing and no one could stop him from crying out louder and louder and louder until he was heard by Jesus, in spite of the many attempts by many to silence him.

It just could not be done. And when Jesus ordered that the blind man be brought to him, he then asked the question granting such dignity to the man, even though Jesus probably could see clearly what the man wanted and needed.

He, nonetheless, asked him to allow the man to be dignified and allow him to voice his hopes and his faith in Jesus, and to seek that he might find.

“What do you want me to do for you?” —

“Lord, please let me see.” —

Done, immediately!

The man received his sight. He followed Jesus, no doubt filled with gratitude. And all gave glory to God.

What do we want? What do we ask for? What do we seek?

How many are the blessings that we have received and no doubt will receive today? How are we free to practice what we believe?

What are we willing to do to preserve our rights and practices of faith?

Are we willing to stand up for them? Are we willing to vote for them?

Are we willing to suffer for them?

“Why can’t we all just get along?”

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Father Perry Dean Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com.