30th Sunday in Ordinary Time - A Reflection by Fr. Leo

The character of Bartimaeus in today’s gospel represents all humanity.  We are all blind in different ways.  The beauty of the story is that Jesus heals him, even though he seemed like an unlikely candidate. 

First of all, Bartimaeus was blind, and some around Jesus would have thought that it was because he had sinned or that his parents had sinned.  People didn’t like him and told him to shut up when Jesus was coming by.  I love the way he shouts all the louder, proclaiming his faith in Jesus as the Son of David, as he begs for his pity.

Jesus hears him and calls him.  The man is so taken up with this possible encounter that he threw his cloak aside and rushed to Jesus.  He leaves his only real possession, which he would have needed for the cold nights in that region, to encounter Jesus.  After Jesus’ call he gets encouragement that it will be a good thing.  When he reaches Jesus, Jesus asks him what he would like from him.  Without hesitation he says “I want to see.”  And he receives his sight, both physical and spiritual, as he becomes Jesus’ follower.

In this act of mercy the others learn something about God’s love too.  God gives his blessing to the weak and the lame, conditions which we all share in some way, not because they earn it, deserve it, or made a positive difference in the community.  Jesus’  love and desire to heal is God’s initiative toward us.  Bartimaeus simply opened the door by humbly calling on the Son of David for his love and mercy.  Bartimeaus teaches us that God will heal all those who humbly call out to him.  As we gather here today, let us place our faith in Jesus. Let us not think ourselves unworthy of God’s love, but humbly call out to him so that, ego set aside, he may give us sight to see God’s presence in all people and in all things!  Let us pray….

 Lord, help us to see!