Gospel Lesson for the 30 th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mark 10:46-52
46 They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” 50 So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” 52 Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
Dear Friends,
Miracles are spiritual stories. They have much to teach us.
This story comes on the heals of other stories about the disciples not understanding (seeing) who Jesus was. In fact, Bartimaeus is wrong when he calls Jesus, “Son of David.” Soon, in Jerusalem it will be made clear he is not the military messiah for whom Israel longed. Jesus then tells him to “Go” and he stays. I wonder if his healing takes away the only life he has known, and he has no place to go.
“Seeing” through the gift of Jesus may be so transformative that we lose who we were in the healing. Is it no wonder that we can insist on our opinions despite evidence to the contrary? Our way of looking at the world may be a house of cards. Following Jesus in the Way is not for the fainthearted. Bartimaeus’ courage to call out to Jesus may be the miracle here.
Peace to you, Keith
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