First Reading: Jeremiah 31:7-9
Second Reading: Hebrews 5:1-6
Gospel: Mark 10:46-52
Today’s gospel is the fulfillment of the first reading: the prophet Jeremiah’s description of the messianic era. God calls the Israelites out of bondage. He will be their leader and much more. “For I am a father to Israel.”
In the second reading, in the same way that every high priest was called by God, God the Father calls his Son, Jesus Christ to sacrifice his life, so we may share in the life of the Holy Trinity.
In our gospel, Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus, with trust and perseverance. Jesus answers the blind man’s call. Jesus not only opens the man’s eyes, but He opens his heart. Jesus heals him physically and spiritually. We can see a progression of growth in the blind man’s spiritual development. Bartimaeus starts out in the story as a believer. How do we know he is a believer? “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.” This verse tells us that the blind man not only knew of Jesus, but he believed that Jesus is the Messiah.
The gospel story ends by telling us that Bartimaeus followed Jesus “on the way”. While the gospel doesn’t tell us anything about the rest of Bartimaeus’ life…we can imagine that he led others to Jesus by sharing his story – his experience of Jesus Christ in his life.
All of us have a story to tell…a story of what Jesus has done in our life – our own experience of Jesus Christ. We should be ready to tell our story at any time…perhaps best by how we live…in persevering in prayer and growing in a trusting relationship with Jesus every day and following Jesus “on the way”.
Just as Bartimaeus called out to Jesus, so must we…and Jesus will respond: “What do you want me to do for you?” May Jesus open our eyes too – so we can see his presence in our brothers and sisters in Christ!
May God bless us always!
Deacon Mike