St. Francis Xavier, priest  

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊  

Isaiah 29:17-24

In a very short time,

 Lebanon will become a fruitful field and the fruitful field will be as a forest.  On that day the deaf will hear the words of the book, and out of the dark and obscurity the eyes of the blind will see.

 The meek will find joy and the poor among men will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.  For the tyrant will be no more and the scoffers gone forever, and all who plan

to do evil will be cut down –  those who by a word make a you guilty, those who for a bribe can lay a snare and send home the just empty-handed.

 Therefore Yahweh, Abraham’s redeemer, speaks concerning the people of Jacob: No longer will Jacob be ashamed; no longer will his face grow pale. When he sees the work of my hands, his children again in his midst, they will sanctify my name, they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and stand in awe of the God of Israel.

Those who err in spirit will understand; those who murmur will learn.

 

Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14

The Lord is m light and my salvation.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊  

Matthew 9:27-31

 As Jesus moved on from there, two blind men followed him, shouting, “Son of David, help us!” When he was about to enter the house, the blind men caught up with him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do what you want?” They answered, “Yes, sir!”

 Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, “As you have believed, so let it be.” And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus gave them a stern warning, “Be careful and let no one know about this.” But as soon as they went away, they spread the news about him through the whole area.

 

Gospel Reflection：

There is something strange about having a handicap. When something is taken from you, you develop your other capacities to compensate. Take for example those who are blind.

They develop their other sensitivities that other people with sight could not. That is why perhaps in our gospel today, the two bind men see what others with perfect sight cannot.

They know that Jesus can help them. And so they pursued Him and professed confidence in His capacity to heal them. And their eyes opened on the strength of their faith. As usual, Jesus warns them not to tell anyone.

And as what happened o others.the two blind men who was healed by Jesus ignored it and spread the news. I guess it is massively hard to hide the good things the Lord does to one’s life.