Gospel: Mark 10:46-52
At that time, Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, and the blind man Bartimaeus (the son of Timaeus) was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” Many people rebuked him to keep quiet, but he shouted all the more: “Son of David, have mercy on me.” Jesus stopped and said: “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him: “Take courage, get up; he is calling you.” He threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus. Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me see again.” Jesus told him, “Go; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him along the way.
Fruit: Learn to pray like the blind Bartimaeus
Guidelines for reflection:
Jesus, the Teacher, encounters a sick person and responds with a miracle. How much we wish that Jesus Christ would perform a miracle for us, solving this problem where we just can’t see clearly! But God’s ways are not man’s ways. The Gospel we are considering teaches us how to approach Jesus, and perhaps that is more important than the material achievement of a miracle.
1. He heard that Jesus was passing by
Let’s imagine the scene: Bartimaeus, a poor blind man, hears something strange around him; those around him seem agitated. What’s happening? he asks. One of the crowd replies: The Rabbi of Galilee, Jesus, is passing by. Bartimaeus would have heard many comments about this teacher, who preached differently, strikingly, and who had performed many healings. Desiring to be healed, he wants to approach the Lord. To do this, he uses the means at his disposal. His blindness and difficulty moving do not stop him. He relies on what he has: he cries out, shouts, to attract Jesus’s attention. Do we have the same interest in approaching Jesus, in engaging with Him in prayer? Do we put everything at our disposal to get closer to the one who can save us?
2. “But he shouted even louder”
Soon difficulties arise. Those around the blind man rebuke him: Leave the Teacher alone; he won’t pay attention to you. How many times do we hear inside ourselves: “Stop praying; you’re getting nowhere. Your life remains the same. Don’t waste your time.” It is the voice of Satan trying to discourage us. In those moments, remember Bartimaeus’s attitude: “But he shouted even louder: Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” A good sailor knows that when a storm comes, it is when we must fight hardest to steer the ship. A good footballer knows that when his team is losing, he must intensify his effort to turn the score around. A good economist knows that when business starts to go badly, more work is needed to avoid bankruptcy. A good mother knows that when her child is sick, she must increase the care she provides. Why don’t we do the same when we face difficulties in our human or spiritual life?
3. “Go, your faith has healed you”
Jesus, as he often did, stops before the needs of men. He is not indifferent to our prayer; he does not pass by someone crying out for mercy. More than that: he addresses the blind man and asks: What can I do for you? And it is not enough for him to give a word of comfort, a “Cheer up, young man, it’s not that bad.” Jesus Christ knows the need of the blind man, hears his request, pities him, and grants him the miracle. Why don’t we get from God what we ask for? Perhaps it is because we do not approach Him with the faith and persistence of Bartimaeus, with the constant struggle to be faithful in our dealings with Him, in our moments of prayer, and in our Christian life. Or it may be that the Lord, wiser than us, grants us the miracle we need most, which often does not coincide with the miracle we desire most.
Purpose: I will make a commitment to dedicate a fixed time each day for prayer, preferably at the beginning of the day.
