Monday 17 November 2025 - Have mercy on me

Monday 17 November 2025

Today is Monday the 17th of November, the Feast of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, in the 33rd week of Ordinary Time. Tenebrae, directed by Nigel Short, sing the Shestopsalmiye from Rachmaninov’s Vespers. ‘Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.’ As I enter into prayer today, as I enter into this conversation with the Lord, I too ask him to open my lips to speak to him, but first for an open ear to listen to him. Slava v vyshnikh Bogu, i na zemli mir, v chelovetsekh blagovoleniye Gospodi, ustne moyi otverzeshi, i usta moya vozvestyat khvalu Tvoyu Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 18:35-43 As [Jesus] approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.’ Then he shouted, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ He said, ‘Lord, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God. In the gospel readings this week, we accompany Jesus on his final journey before his passion to Jerusalem. He is well aware of the dangers that await him there. Yet he still finds time to reach out to the needy people he encounters. How do you feel about walking this road with him? This blind man is desperate. This may be his only chance to get the help he needs. He’s not prepared to let other, more polite; people silence him. Can you recall a time when you’ve been desperate for help in this way? What happened? What stirs in Jesus as he calls the blind man forward? Can you see the look on Jesus’s face? As you hear the passage again, try to put yourself in the blind man’s shoes. Hear Jesus say to you, as you stand before him, “What do you want me to do for you?” Luke 18:35-43 As [Jesus] approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.’ Then he shouted, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Those who were in front sternly ordered him to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Jesus stood still and ordered the man to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ He said, ‘Lord, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God. In these final moments of prayer, respond to Jesus, telling him what you want or need from him today. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen.