Texts of the Readings
October 25,
2009
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Fr. Timothy Schehr
Jeremiah 31:7-9
X
Hebrews 5:1-6 X
Mark 10:46-52
The gospel reading for each Sunday this October introduces us to people who
came to Jesus with questions. The Pharisees were looking for loopholes in
Gods plan for us; a wealthy man wanted to know if he was already qualified
for eternal life; last week the sons of Zebedee wanted the highest honors in
the Lords kingdom. This Sunday we hear still another request of the Lord.
But this time the request is just right.
As the gospel begins we hear about a
man named Bartimaeus sitting at the side of the road begging for donations
from the people passing by. When he learns Jesus is among those in the
crowd he shouts for Jesus to have pity on him. Surprisingly many in the
crowd want to silence Bartimaeus. Did they think he wanted only some
donation from Jesus? If so, they did not want Jesus to be bothered with any
mundane requests.
But if they were listening carefully
to what the blind man said they would realize they had nothing to worry
about. Bartimaeus is the first in Marks gospel to refer to Jesus as son of
David. It is a good sign. It means this blind man already sees that Jesus
belongs to the royal house of Israel. It may also mean that Bartimaeus
already believes Jesus is the perfect king Israel had always been looking
forthe Messiah. And what kind of request would you make of the Messiah?
So Bartimaeus will not be
embarrassed into silence; he keeps shouting out his request until Jesus
stops and calls him over. Then Bartimaeus does something else that sets him
apart from so many others. He throws his cloak aside. That cloak was
important for him. It was the garment that kept him warm at night and the
garment he collected coins in. But apparently Bartimaeus believes he will
not be needing that cloak anymore. He jumps to his feet and comes to Jesus.
Bartimaeus shows us the ideal response to the Lorddrawing near as quickly
as we can.
But there is still something more
about Bartimaeus that should impress us. When Jesus asks what he wants from
him Bartimaeus replies that he wants to see. It seems Jesus wanted the crowd
to hear this. It is the same request any one of them could have made. They
all needed to see, as Bartimaeus already did, that Jesus was the Messiah.
This is what the sons of Zebedee should have asked for. Jesus sees the
faith that Bartimaeus carries within his heart. Bartimaeus becomes a model
of faith for all the rest. He can now see spiritually and physically. And
everyone standing around him should want the same.
There is still one more spiritual
lesson from the healing of Bartimaeus. Mark tells us he followed Jesus on
the way. The next chapters of Mark record the Lords passion and death. It
seems Bartimaeus was strong enough to remain with the Lord even in those
difficult final days.
Jeremiah looked forward to the day
God would gather a blind people back to the path of life. The prophet would
certainly have regarded the healing of Bartimaeus as a sign that day had
arrived.
Bartimaeus has a spiritual
descendant in the author of Hebrews who certainly sees spiritually as he
explains to us that Jesus is the perfect high priest fulfilling his Fathers
glorious plan of salvation.
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