See The Needs Of Others

16 Nov

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!”  (Lk 18:35-38)

I’ve got problems.

You’ve got problems.

Some days, those problems completely overwhelm us, don’t they?

When we focus on our problems, we tend to become very myopic.  We do not see the problems, or the needs, of others.  We only see our own.  We do not want to address the problems, or the needs, of others.  We only want to address our own.  We do not want to solve the problems, or the needs, of others.  We only want to solve our own.

That might be why the disciples of Jesus attempted to quiet the blind man sitting on the side of the road screaming the name of Jesus.

After all, if Jesus turned His attention to the blind man, His attention would be off of the disciples.

They did not want that.

Nor, it appears, do we.

We know that we have problems and we want the Lord to help us — first.  Others can take a number a stand in line.

So, when we see someone else in need being helped, there can often be envy.  Why should someone else be helped while we are still in need?

The Lord wants us to broaden our sight.  He wants us to take in the needs of all.

FAITH ACTION:  Always conscious of our own need, we often forget the need(s) of others.  Pray for the needy today and if you see someone in need, help that person.  If you cannot think of anyone in need, pray for the victims of the terrorist actions in France.