Contents
Introduction
To be determined is to make up one’s mind for something. It is firmness of purpose. That is, the quality of being determined to do or achieve something. Generally, determination requires concentration and does not admit distractions. This is what we find in this Sunday Gospel reading. The blind beggar whom Jesus met sitting by the roadside as he walked away from the city of Jericho, was determined to meet him (Jesus). Such determination is seen in his insistence as he implored Jesus to have mercy on him, despite being scolded by many to keep quiet.
Jesus, have pity on me
“As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:46–47). Why “Son of David?” Because in Jesus’ time, many believed the anticipated Jewish Messiah would be a descendent of King David. The physical condition of the man forced him to depend on what he gets from others for his survival. The blind man pleaded with Jesus to have mercy or pity on him because he did not just desire to survive. He wished and wanted to live. Generally, grace means favour and there are various forms of favour. Hence.….
The power of determination
Success and failure are two sides of the same coin. Many fail because unknowingly, they choose to fail. People think they must follow a particular pattern or direction in order to succeed. This is wrong. It is also reason such people fail. Success has many directions. If one direction does not favour you, abandon that direction and follow a different course. When the blind man of the Gospel implored Jesus to help him, many people shouted at him and asked him to keep quiet. But he refused. He shouted the more. And it was this his increased shouting that attracted.….
Conclusion
Nothing worth doing comes easy. There are no short cuts, no quick fixes. It takes determined efforts, commitment and persistence to achieve one’s most cherished dreams, whatever they maybe. There will always be obstacles, risks, disappointments, fears, doubts, setbacks, even moments of despair. But determined people will turn these challenges into opportunities. Their courage and commitment generate enthusiasm and positive energy, which reinforce their determination, until their dreams become reality.
However, determined people can become both tyrants and saints. What differentiates them is their purpose and aspirations. In other words, determination could be for good or for evil. Naturally, the power of determination as sustained in this reflection is solely for good. Dreams do not become reality through magic. It takes sweat, determination and hard-work to succeed. Attention! It is not enough to dream. As J. Owens said, we all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.
FOR DETAILS, GET YOUR OWN COPIES OF THE BOOK “THE WORD OF LIFE: SUNDAY REFLECTIONS” (vols. I and II)!! The reflection for the 30th Sunday of the year (B) is found in vol. II pages 477–488. Happy reading!
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