Walking with Jesus: 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Sunday, October 27, 2024

Jeremiah 31:7-9, Hebrews 5:1-6, Mark 10:46-52

I’m looking at my good points and my bad points. When I list them, I would say I have many more bad points than good. Why do I say this? Because I do not always have a good opinion of myself; I feel that I have missed opportunities to see people’s needs and help them along. I feel that I am a fairly good listener, but do I hear? Am I focused on what people are saying or am I lost in my little world and only half-listening? Does my own agenda monopolize my conversations with others? Probably far too often. I feel that I can commiserate with the apostles Jesus had chosen — and like them, I miss the point of Jesus’ message.

Seven weeks ago we read Mark's description of a scene where people brought a deaf man who had a speech impediment to Jesus and begged Jesus to heal him. Jesus took him aside, put His finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue. He groaned Ephatha and the man was healed. Today it is the blind Bartimaeus who is healed. Why does Mark name this man and not the earlier one? Scholars say that today’s man is named because he is probably known in the Christian community, and people always want to talk to a healed person to find out more details about what Jesus and His healings are like. These men and others — like the crippled and diseased, especially with leprosy, and the deformed — have been rejected by the community because it is the community's supposition that impediments and diseases are a punishment from God for something they or their parents have done. The even look at widows in this way. Not only are these people rejected; more often than not they earn their livelihood by begging. It is noticeable in these and other accounts that the apostles are equally slow in grasping Jesus’ message. Is there a reflection for us today in these readings from Jesus for you and me?

Today Jeremiah interestingly weaves images of joy and sadness. He urges the people to praise God joyfully for being with them while in exile away from their homes. He admonishes them to remember how Moses led the people from horrible slavery in Egypt and in their wanderings, leading them into the Promised Land. Jeremiah says God will lead them — even the blind and lame, even the pregnant and those in labor — and in doing so, “none will stumble” and all will have “brooks of water.” [Jeremiah 31:9] All of these images are loaded with allusions to new life promises for the future. God is promising a second chance, and the promised restoration is clearly a work of God. God loves us each and every moment. Am I aware of His actions in my life, or am I more interested in what I want and my way and what is good for me, thereby missing God’s message?

Paul’s letter to the Hebrews describes another facet of Jesus’ humanity by three times describing Jesus as being made perfect through suffering [Hebrews 3:10; 5:8-9; and 7:27-28]. Through this suffering He learns obedience, fulfills His mission and attains the goal and perfection of His moral life. So if Jesus became perfect through suffering, then we too can be perfect or complete through the trials in our own lives. Do we spend more time complaining? Or being a witness to others of love, compassion and kindness? When we have seen these qualities in the “infirm … diseased” along with their love, acceptance and personality, are these life lessons that we can remember? Have we applied any of their lessons in our lives? This is another reason the people are interested in searching out people Jesus has touched and healed.

Now Bartimaeus is one of the many beggars who line the roads … just a “nameless, hurting person,” like the rest, avoided by the passers-by, just like the people we see at busy street intersections begging for a handout and anyone who can help them. Bartimaeus addresses Jesus as Rabboni, which means “my master” or “teacher” … much more reverential than Rabbi. His faith is demonstrated by his actions and recognized by Jesus. He uses the title Son of David, identifying Jesus not only as a descendant of this royal figure but also as the long-awaited one who has come to fulfill the religious and political expectations of the people. Jesus has the power to heal and Bartimaeus asks for it. Now there are no “casual words” coming from Jesus when He asks, “'What do you want Me to do for you?' 'Master, I want to see.'” [Mark 10:51] Can we take these words and put them in our daily prayer? God wants to help you and me, and He knows our name and calls it — saying, “What do you want Jesus to do for you today? Just ask.”

So I reflect on:

• I take time to look around me as I go through a day: Do I notice anyone crying aloud for God’s mercy and healing? Do I see people avoiding them? Do I respond or even notice?
• Can I identify with Bartimaeus, shouting to be heard but not allowed to speak? How can I keep on noticing … and in my noticing, respond as Jesus did?

Sacred Space 2024 states:

“A named, blind beggar on the side of the road had the faith to ask Jesus to have mercy on him. May we have that faith to recognize Jesus for who He is and the humility to ask Him for what we need.”