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.
“Jesus, Sod of David, have mercy on us!”
This today is our cry for you to help us.
Our houses have been blown down
Our farms have been wiped out
Whole villages have been swept away
And thousands of us have died.
And now as we pick up the pieces of our lives
We do so with hungry and grumbling stomachs
With spirits broken wondering how much more we can bear
With trembling hands and wobbly knees
With eyes with hardly any more tears to shed
We don’t even know where to begin.
“What do you want me to do for you?”
Yes, Lord it is to you that we turn for help.
We are bitterly disappointed by our leaders
Some are well-meaning but they are as lost as we are
Others would turn this disaster into their personal benefit
By their posturings or even taking away the little left for those affected
Our systems and structures have failed us
We know they are man-made and fragile
We turn to you who have always been our source of
Grace, strength, blessings and courage.
“Lord, let us see again!”
Many times in the past, you have walked among us.
We have seen you in EDSA
We have seen you in our joys and celebrations
We have seen you in our feasts and numerous fiestas
We have seen you to our family gatherings.
We have seen your in our endless get togethers
We have seen you when we sing our songs
We have seen you whenever we come together in prayers.
Let us see you now if the midst of all this devastation.
Let us see you in our brothers and sisters who need help the most.
Let us see you in our brothers and sisters extending their hands to help.
Let us see you in the many generous souls who are
Sharing their time, talent and treasures to lend a helping hand
Let us see you in the tears we are shedding in our pain and suffering
Let us see you in the courage and generosity of our people
Let us see you in whole communities coming together as one
Let us see you again as we sing our songs
Let us see you again as we gather together in prayer.
And let us hear you say to us:
“Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.”
Immediately may we regain our sight and follow you more fervently,
Glorifying God
And all the people, when they see it, shall praise God.