Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-64 / Luke 18:35-43
Very often, we take things for granted until we lose it and then we realise how important or precious it is.
In our country, we take clean water so much for granted that we can even waste water without realising that we actually had to buy water from external supplies.
The same can be said for food. With little farming land and limited fishing grounds, Singapore imports over 90% of the food consumed in the country.
And when it comes to the freedom of religions, we must be thankful that we can practise our religion freely and that there is also religious harmony in our country.
But we cannot take this for granted as we are also aware that in other places there are religious persecutions and no religious freedom.
Such was the case in the 1st reading, when the religion of the conquerors was imposed and the practice of other religions were outlawed with a death penalty.
In such a situation, what would our choice be? Where might is right, would we dare to voice out our faith and put our lives at risk?
In the gospel, the blind man called out for Jesus but the other voices tried to suppress and shut him up.
But he shouted all the louder until Jesus stopped and ordered them to bring the blind man to Him.
So as we thank God for all the good things that we are enjoying, let us also raise our voices in grateful prayer and take nothing for granted.
And if ever a dreadful time descends upon us, let us raise our voices all the more and wait confidently for the answer from the Lord.