Gospel: Mark 10:46-52

1st Reading: Jeremiah 31:7-9

The prophet prays, “Save the remnant of Israel!” and God promises, “I will lead them back.”

For thus says the Lord: Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, “Save, O Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel.”

See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

2nd Reading: Epistle to the Hebrews 5:1-6

Jesus is a priest forever, like Melchizedek, our ideal mediator with God.

Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people.

And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you;” as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”

Gospel: Mark 10:46-52

Jesus hears the prayer of a blind man and gives him back his sight.

They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

The optimist, Bartimaeus

There are many stories in the gospel about blind people being healed, but this one about Bartimaeus is probably the best known, and it has a nice lesson for us. The poor man was blind, and when he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, he had to make a choice, quickly. He could just sit there and let Jesus pass him by, or he could grab the moment, and ask to be healed. Jesus was said to have the power to heal, but you had to get his attention and ask to be healed.

In a cartoon some time back, a sharp-tongued little girl called Lucy was trying to reform her schoolmate Charlie Browne. She glared at him and said, “Do you know what’s wrong with you, Charlie Browne?” “What?” he asked. “What’s wrong with you is that, well, you don’t want to know what’s wrong with you!” How unlike Bartimaeus.

Bartimaeus was determined to be cured. When he called out to Jesus, people around him tried to get him to shut up, and stay quiet. But he just shouted louder, and kept shouting until Jesus stopped and called him over. Although Bartimaeus was blind, Jesus stayed where he was and let the blind man come to him. If he really wanted to be cured, he would find a way to get to Jesus.

It was obvious that Bartimaeus was blind, and yet Jesus asked him “What do you want me to do for you?” The man had to name his problem, himself. If we want to be cured of blindness, of alcoholism, or of depression, then we need to come to Jesus and tell him what’s wrong with you. He knows our needs, yet he says “Ask and you will receive.” “Your heavenly Father will surely give to those who ask.”

Bartimaeus’s reply was simple and uncomplicated. There was no long speech, no haggling or wheedling. “I want to see” was his direct reply. And Jesus told him that his faith had healed him. Rightly, this blind man knew that Jesus would not turn away from the cry of the poor. Just think of what he did: he threw aside his old cloak, got up, and ran to Jesus. The old cloak may be a symbol for his past, his darkness, his despair. He made an act of hope-filled faith, and Jesus did not disappoint him. All attempts of the bystanders to silence him made him more determined. He was clear about what he wanted, and knew who could help him. That’s why Bartimaeus has a lesson for us all, here and now.