Mark 10:46-52 - Thursday of the 8th Week in Ordinary time
The central character in today’s Gospel is Bartimaeus, a blind man. As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, they passed the blind beggar, Bartimaeus. Every day Bartimaeus came and sat on the roadside and begged. Bartimaeus had heard some of the passers-by talking about Jesus. These people spoke of Jesus’ preaching and teaching. They also talked about his deep compassion as well as the miracles that Jesus had worked.
When Jesus was passing by, Bartimaeus cried out to Him. He shouted: “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” The people around him scolded him and told him to be quiet. However, Bartimaeus once again called out in an even louder voice: “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” Again the bystanders ordered him to be silent. However, Bartimaeus was determined. And again, he cried out: “Son of David, have pity on me!”
Jesus heard Bartimaeus’ plea and he stopped and said: “Call him.” So the disciples went to Bartimaeus and said: “Come, Jesus is calling you.” Bartimaeus immediately got up and went to Jesus. Jesus asked him: “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus simply replied: “I want to see!”
Jesus did not do anything extraordinary. He simply instructed Bartimaeus to go on his way. Jesus quietly told him that his faith had saved him. Immediately Bartimaeus received his sight! Imagine how astounded and amazed he must have been! Did he fall at Jesus feet? Or was he so overwhelmed that he didn’t know what to do?
Then Jesus quietly told Bartimaeus to go on his way. However, Bartimaeus did not obey. Rather, he knew that he had to follow Jesus, this man, who healed him and who freed him. What a wondrous gift!
What is the healing we desire? Today, may we ask Bartimaeus to take us to Jesus and to intercede for us that we also may be healed. Will we trust Jesus as Bartimaeus did? May it “be so!”
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