30th Sunday - Fr. Leo
Mark’s gospel records Bartimaeus’ receiving his sight through Christ’s healing presence. We can look at this healing in two different ways. First, that Jesus, so in union with God, physically heals Bartimeaus through the power of God in the Holy Spirit. I have no doubt that this continues to happen as Jesus heals people in their physical illnesses. However, Jesus also didn’t want us seeking signs or asking that the cross be removed from our discipleship. So, I believe, there is another profound healing that takes place in Bartimeaus. The inner eye of his soul is brought out of blindness, and Barttimeaus comes to recognize the presence of God in Jesus Christ. This is affirmed in his following Jesus after his healing. Barttimeaus becomes a believer; the profound miracle shared with us in this passage from Mark’s gospel.
We do well to meditate on today’s gospel. As we read it over and ponder its meaning we can place ourselves in the shoes of Bartimeaus. We can follow his example and ask to be healed. This is a necessary moment in coming to see in faith. Christ will never force himself upon us, but will gladly bless us when we sincerely want to grow in faith.
Out of our own darkness we can cry out with Bartimeaus, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” This is what the Hesycast do in the Eastern Orthodox community. Their contemplative prayer takes on this humble mantra which expresses their openness to the Holy Spirit and their heart felt recognition of their need for a merciful God. We can not heal ourselves, but we can live in the faith and hope of Christ, healing us in our inmost being.
Some days we may need to cry out louder than others when others, and the messages of society, tell us to shut up. To combat their denial of faith, let us cry out all the louder in faith together. In the stillness of our heart felt prayer this week, let us pray over and over, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us.” In answer to our prayers may God let us taste his mystical presence! Amen.