Recalling a talk given a few years earlier at St. Herman Church by Rev. Fr. Calinic Berger, Fr. Matthew Howell talks about three prayers that you should never leave home without: “Thy will be done” (The Lord’s Prayer); “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me” (The Jesus Prayer); and “Glory to God for All Things” (the dying words of St. John Chrysostom). Fr. Matthew uses the gospel passage about the blind man, Bartimaeus, to illustrate the use of these prayers. He points out how we “shush” our faith similar to how the crowd shushed Bartimaeus when he cried out to Jesus. He also talks that God heals us so that we can become His disciples, but often we do not keep our end of the “contract” with God after receiving what we requested from Him. Along the way, he uses a humorous story to illustrate his point, talks about a simplistic prayer rule, and even casually drops the word “megalomaniac” into the homily.
1 Timothy 1:15-17
Timothy, my son, the saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And I am the foremost of sinners; but I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience for an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory to the ages of ages. Amen.
Luke 18:35-43
At that time, as Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” And he cried, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped, and commanded him 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 receive my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.