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