Gospel of the Sunday (Luke 18:31–43)
At that time, Jesus took unto him the twelve, and said to them: Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things shall be accomplished which were written by the prophets concerning the Son of man. For he shall be delivered to the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and scourged, and spit upon: And after they have scourged him, they will put him to death; and the third day he shall rise again. And they understood none of these things, and this word was hid from them, and they understood not the things that were said.
Now it came to pass, when he drew nigh to Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the way side, begging. And when he heard the multitude passing by, he asked what this meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he cried out, saying: Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me. And they that went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried out much more: Son of David, have mercy on me.
And Jesus standing, commanded him to be brought unto him. And when he was come near, he asked him, saying: What wilt thou that I do to thee? But he said: Lord, that I may see. And Jesus said to him: Receive thy sight: thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he saw, and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
Homily of Saint Gregory the Great on the Gospel of Quinquagesima Sunday
Our Lord and Saviour, as He approached His Passion, approached also Jericho. Jericho signifies the moon; and the moon in Holy Scripture is the figure of our mortality, because it waxes and wanes. That He draws near to Jericho signifies that the Creator deigned to assume our mortal nature. Thus is fulfilled the word we have just heard: Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that have been written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man shall be fulfilled. He goes freely toward His suffering; yet they understood none of these things, for the saying was hidden from them.
As He drew near to Jericho, a blind man sat by the wayside begging. This blind man is the image of the human race, which, cast out from Paradise, lost the light of inward vision. Man sits by the way because he is set upon the road that leads to the true homeland, yet he does not behold it. He hears that Jesus of Nazareth passes by; this passing by signifies the mystery of the Incarnation, whereby God visits us in the flesh.
Then he began to cry out: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! Those who went before rebuked him that he should hold his peace. This multitude represents the tumult of earthly thoughts and worldly cares that strive to silence the soul when it would raise itself to God. But he cried out all the more: Son of David, have mercy on me! So must the soul, the more it is assaulted by distraction, persevere the more fervently in prayer.
Then Jesus stood still and commanded that he be brought. God stands still when the heart perseveres. He who seemed to pass by reveals His nearness to those who cry out with earnest insistence. And when He asked: What wilt thou that I should do for thee? he answered: Lord, that I may receive my sight. He asked not for riches, nor for honor, nor for passing consolation, but for light. For what profit is it to behold the things of this world if one does not behold the light of eternity?
Receive thy sight; thy faith hath saved thee. Faith is the beginning of light; through faith the inward eye is opened. And immediately he received his sight and followed Him, glorifying God. He who receives light must follow Him who gives it; he who is enlightened by grace must walk in good works.
Jericho is near; our mortal life passes swiftly. Christ passes by; let us not be silent. If we cry out with humble perseverance, He will stand still for us; and if we ask for the true light, He will grant it, that we may follow Him and glorify God in all things.
Jesu, Fili David, miserere mei.
Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.