Mk, 10, 46-52 - Growing with the impulse of the spirit

Sometimes Faith moves us to see life from simplicity to a more complicated mystery, from the beauty of the natural universe to the depths of the human heart where emotions vibrate and reasons may clash. Our life of faith too should follow the quick spontaneity of the child that reaches towards its mother’s breast for “the pure milk of the spirit.” We should follow these finest impulses of life and taste deeply the goodness of the Lord; and perhaps also study widely and refine our theology, drawing from Scripture and Tradition, joining the impulsiveness of an infant or a blind who want to see with the studied searching of the adult. Then we will be at peace and protected against evil desires.

Enthusiasm for the Lord

Eustache Le Sueur, Jesus heals a blind man.

Faith does not depend on a great amount of knowledge.

Bartimaeus is a richly described character in Mark´s gospel.  

The blind man Bartimaeus, probably did not know Jesus very well. He only heard that he was the Son of David and that he cured some people somewhere. But this knowledge gave him great hope. He felt that Jesus could cure him too.

And so when he heard that Jesus was passing by, he called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” 

 We learn that he is a blind, roadside beggar who was unafraid to raise his voice when he learned that Jesus was passing by. Though told to be quiet, he raises his voice yet again to get Jesus´ attention.

Finally, when he learns that he is being called, he “throws off” his cloak and “jumps” to his feet. In Bartimaeus we see perseverance, a desire for healing, and maybe most importantly his enthusiasm. He does not want this moment to pass by. His engagement with the present moment, with the reality that surrounds him, is strong and passionate. At the end of the story, Jesus tells him that it was his faith that saved him. The the story tells us that we must persevere when we pray and never give up. This is what Bartimaeus did. He kept calling out to Jesus, and so Jesus called him to himself and cured him. Given the actions of Bartimaeus in the story, we might say that it was his passion and enthusiasm that saved him. Faith in this story has something to do with “throwing off our cloak” and “jumping to our feet”. May the persistance of Bartimaeus inspire us. May his witness help us jump to our feet to meet those who most need us today.

Prayer

Lord, too often
we silence ourselves when we should
defend the good name of another.

Sometimes we become quiet
and surrender our convictions 

to preserve harmony and spare ourselves
the tension that conflict brings. 

With the persistence
and enthusiasm of Bartimaeus 

let us not flinch before the truth. 

 And like Bartimaeus may we hear
those assuring words: 

Take heart; get up, he is calling you.”

Mk, 10, 46-52 Bartimaeus Receives His Sight

46 Then they *came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggarnamed Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him here.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you.” 50 Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus. 51 And answering him, Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And the blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.

Source: ACP and JD

Humility and love to fight temptation

“Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.” Lk 4: 1-2

Growing in loving others

As part of my studies during my seminary years I had to go to visit the sick at National hospitals. I tried to convince my superior to do another subjects but he kindly insisted I must do CPE as part of my priestly training. I accepted despite that hospitals were scary and very depressing places to me because I felt the support from my superior.

Each time I had to visit the sick I returned home very tired emotionally and physically, feeling like a worn out battery. Each visit was a test to my limits. After a few visits I overcame my fears and became more confident visiting, talking and praying for and with them. It was a good training towards my priestly life and ministry.

Now, I do those visitations in solidarity with them, exercising the tender love, patience and compassion they though me while in training. I learned to be a brother to the patient, nurses and doctors.

The sick person lives the mystery of faith deeply and fruitfully because they wrestled the spirits, looking for the consolation of God, keeping hope, faith and love alive.

Our batteries never died in that we can always succumb to sin. No matter our age, the devil is always seeking to lead us astray. We cannot afford to be overconfident and putting yourself in dangerous occasions. The devil´s motor is always running.
  

Grant me Wisdom and prudence.

Heavenly Father,
too often I tell myself
that I can handle this situation.

I forget that I am weak,
and the devil is no one to play with.
Remind me not to put myself
in the near occasion of sin.

I ask for your Holy Spirit
to grant me wisdom and prudence.

With your grace I will follow you.
Amen.

What areas and occasions of sin do I need to avoid?

Let God Handle the hurt

“Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen.” Leviticus 19, 18 

We all get hurt, sometimes quite deeply. Nonetheless, we cannot give in to the temptation to hold a grudge and become resentful and mean-spirited. In the book of Leviticus, we are reminded of the obvious: “Do not steal. Do not swear falsely. Do not defraud your neighbor. Do not cause others to stumble. Do not bear hatred. God warns the chosen people for their own good not to hold to a grudge. Holding on to a hurt wounds us by destroying our spirit. It fills our heart with poison. Let go, and leave the hurt in God´s hands. The charge we hear in Matthew’s gospel is also well-known to us: “Whatever you do to the least of your brothers and sisters, you do to me.”

Externally, these teachings are not that complicated; the letter behind them is clear.  But internally, the challenge gets tougher, as we aim to embody the spirit that animates them. Today, let us pray for the grace to see—and respond to—Jesus in every person we meet, especially those most in need. In doing so, we will strive to follow the Lord’s charge to the Israelites: “Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy.”

Help me with you grace

Father, It is hard to forgive an injury, especially when it is at the hands of one whom we love. 
It does not come easily or naturally. 

Help me with your grace to forgive and surrender any feelings of bitterness and hatred. 

It may not be easy, but I need to do it so you can fill my heart with you peace. 

Amen.

Do I need to empty my heart of any hatred or grudges?