THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YR B
Jer 31:7-9; Ps 126
Heb 5:1-6; Mk 10: 46-52
WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU?
The gospel of Mark contains most of Jesus’ miracles. It is strange therefore, to read that he went to Jericho and there was no report of a miracle. why?
Throughout this gospel, faith is an important element for receiving miracle of Jesus. So if Jesus went to Jericho and there was no record of a miracle, it means that nothing of significance happened there.
But there was a man named Bartimaeus at the gate of Jericho. It seems he was the only man of faith at Jericho. Every nation, every home needs a man at the gates. We need men at the gates of our families and communities. But the reality is that these people may not be known. They may not be the most likable personalities around but they exercise faith on behalf of the church and our families. We pray for many of such people.
This man has a lot to teach us about the exercise of our faith. He exhibits three faith- actions that we can learn from.
He cried out to Jesus
We read that “On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” He called out to Jesus because no one will help him. The community had abandoned him and his friends had failed him. He recognised that no one will help him except Jesus. No matter what we are going through may we go to Jesus in prayer. Is it about our nation, families, children or personal needs, call out to him in prayer. May we never be tired of praying. Look at Bartimaeus, even when the crowd wanted to shut him down, he didn’t give up on prayer. It happens to many of us too. You may have prayed over and over again. Maybe for an intention for many years and you feel like giving up. Learn from Bartimaeus. Continue to call out to the Lord in prayer.
Bartimaeus was a blind man but he was able to see Jesus with the eye of faith. His crying out to Jesus was not only because he heard from the crowd that Jesus was passing, but because of his faith. Hear how he called out to Jesus, “Jesus son of David have mercy on me”. His physical disability was not an obstacle to his encounter with Jesus. His faith took him where his eyes couldn’t. (where his physical disability couldn’t)
He got up
His persistence did not go unheard. Jesus responded to his cries. When Jesus called him, he threw away his cloak and run to meet Jesus. Until Bartimaeus met Jesus he seemed to have settled in his situation. To be able to meet Jesus he had to rise out of that mentality, give up your milieu and run to Jesus. When we can’t wrestle with the challenges of life anymore, we helplessly settle for what life has to offer. We embrace its comfort and security. But to have that life changing encounter with Jesus, we must get up and give it all up for something new, sublime and beautiful. For Bartimaeus it was his cloak and the place where he was. He had to leave that place and give up his cloak. What are you also rising out of and giving up for this encounter with Jesus.
He made his request
When Bartimaeus got close, Jesus asked him, “what do you want me to do for you?” Jesus knew his problem but still asked him the question. The question was intended to strengthen his faith and help him to manifest it before the crowd. When we come to prayer, we should confidently place our intentions before the Lord. Sometimes we lose faith in our prayer life due to the fact that the answer delays. To continue to pray mentioning the intention always at prayer is a sign of faith.
Furthermore, the little dialogue before the discussion is important. Jesus could have just healed him and continued on his journey, but he stopped and had this interaction with him. Jesus treated him like an individual with specific needs. He did not see him merely as a social problem but a person, not a statistic but an individual. That is how the Lord deals with us; on a personal level. Let us open up to him with great confidence.
Like Bartimaeus, life may have passed you by. You have been broken by disappointments and hardships. Your problems don’t seem to end. And you can see no help coming. Today, may Jesus change that narrative of your life. May he pass by you this moment.
As Jesus stopped for Bartimaeus, may he stop for you too. At Every Eucharistic celebration (Mass), Jesus stops in time. He stops at your spot, right where you are, where you are feeling all alone and beaten down and He is asking, “what do you want me to do for you?”
God bless you.
BY Rev. Fr. Delight Arnold Carbonu
