30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (“B”)
Q. 708: Why did many in the crowd try to silence Bartimaeus from calling Jesus? (Return to INDEX page of "Didja Know?" series)
October 28, 2012
A. 708: What a beautiful story of mercy we hear in today’s gospel (Mark 10:46-52). This is a “must read” story of compassion for everyone, and hopefully we will read it more than just “once every three years” (such as on this three-year cycle of Sunday gospels). Bartimaeus cried out in faith, believing and trusting what he had heard about this awesome Jesus, who could heal those who believed in him. Bartimaeus’ belief and faith were rewarded with total healing, and he became a disciple who followed Jesus. An interesting point: “a large crowd” left Jericho with Jesus, and they physically saw Jesus; they told Bartimaeus it was “Jesus of Nazareth.” They also tried to keep Bartimaeus quiet. But it was really only the blind man who disclosed to the crowd who Jesus really was: the “Son of David” (meaning the Messiah). The members of the “crowd” were really the only ones who were truly blind, spiritually.
As one of several possibilities, I relate this story to the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). We know that we have been blinded by sin through our thoughts, words and deeds, and crippled by our imperfections. So we go to the source of mercy, make a good act of contrition, and cry out to be healed of our woundedness. Even as we walk towards the confessional God is healing us, because he can see the sincerity and intention of our heart.
The prophet Jeremiah in the First Reading (Jeremiah 31:7-9) is, by analogy, a parallel example. Jeremiah was used by God to convict and challenge the Jews back in the sixth century B.C. of their sinfulness. They had been unfaithful to God and had worshipped false gods, even burning children as sacrifices; so God permitted them to be conquered by the Babylonians, and to be taken into exile. In today’s reading from Jeremiah, God promises to bring a faithful remnant back from exile, since they are now properly chastised and repentant.
KNOW YOUR CATECHISM! Jesus always hears and answers the prayer of faith, whether it is spoken in words or in silence (CCC 2616). The miracles of Jesus are not for entertainment or to satisfy curiosity; they are granted to invite faith in Him (CCC 548).
Deacon Paul Rooney
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha
(Go back to Deacon Paul's HOME PAGE)
