WATCHWORD:
46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. Mark 10:46-52
Meditation:
Kyrie Eleison!
We need to see the whole picture of a man blind from birth and his encounter with Jesus. It takes place just outside the city of Jericho, the oldest city in the world, the entrance to the Promised Land, and a place of trade on the Jordan River. On the outskirts of the city is Elisha’s Spring, blessed by the Prophet, and popular. It is a very busy place.
Bartimaeus, the blind man, wrapped in his cloak and hiding his face, sits near the Spring, as always, begging for alms and crying out ‘Kyrie Eleison!’, have mercy on me! Jesus and his disciples pass by on their way to Jerusalem, and the blind man cries even louder. Jesus invites him to come, and Bartimaeus jumps up, throws off his cloak, and runs to Jesus. ‘What do you want?’ ‘I want to see.’ Jesus answers, “Go, your faith has healed you.”
Sixty-one times in the four Gospels it is recorded that Jesus said, or implied, ‘your faith has healed you.’ Sixty-one times! Lepers healed, Lazarus raised from the grave, the storm quieted, the blind see. Not only that, but Jesus chided his closest companions, ‘Oh, ye of little faith’.
Gosh, faith must be important, do you suppose? How about you and me? Is faith important to us? Do we rest in our faith? Do we trust our Lord by faith? When we are surrounded by the world’s darkness and our mind is confused, and fearful, do we trust our faith in Jesus to lead us to the light? That’s a question between each of us and the Lord.
One more point about Bartimaeus. His cloak was so much more than a piece of clothing, it represented a way of life for him, and, in that day, anyone who was handicapped, wrapped themselves in such a cloak. Bartimaeus hid beneath it, he used it to separate himself from others. When he threw it off, and never picked it up, it was a statement that he knew he would never be the same. Do you have a cloak, a way of hiding or avoiding that stands between you and your faith, faith that has the power to heal? That is a question we must ask ourselves, and lift it to the Lord, crying ‘Kyrie Eleison!’, Lord have mercy on me a sinner. Amen.
Wisdom from St. Cyprain:
When you pray you speak to God. When you read His Word, God speaks to you.
When reading His word, don’t miss the graces that tell the story or define the message. Ex. Trust in the Lord with your whole heart, and lean not on your own understanding.
Have Mercy Lord:
Dear God, I come to you as a sinner who is undeserving of your grace and presence. I repent all my sins and ask you to forgive me so that my request may be heard by you. Lord, have mercy on me and fill me with your grace. Wash me with the blood of your son Jesus Christ that I may shine and walk unashamed in Your will. In Christ’s Holy Name I pray. Amen.
