Where is You Blindness?

 

~~~ Sirach 42:15-25 ~~~ Psalm 33 ~~~ Mark 10:46-52 ~~~

 

 

Yesterday we heard two of the apostles asking Jesus to do whatever the wanted.

‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”

 

Today we hear from Bartimaeus...calling out to Jesus,

 crouched beside the road.

Being blind, he is intently listening for Jesus to be near

his lowly position on the ground.

When Jesus walks closer he begins to loudly call out...

 

“Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.”

 

Blind, waiting, and determined to get the attention of Jesus.

The people are crowded around Jesus, moving him along,

 yet he does hear the cry of this blind man.

 

Of course the apostles see and hear this man a nuisance,

 but Jesus hears and sees him as a person in need of healing.

 

The apostles call the man to come before Jesus, as requested.

“Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.”

 

The apostles are telling this poor blind man to take courage.

When Jesus calls you it often does require courage.

When Jesus calls you it is always a call to change.

You cannot truly hear the call from Jesus unless you are willing to change.

 

Initially the blind man thought Jesus might take pity on him

 because he of his blindness;

but instead he was called to be courageous.

Once Bartimaeus could see his life in courage he springs forth from the dirt.

He throws his cloak of hiding off and stands up to meet Jesus.

This vision inspires me to have higher aspirations.

 

 

 Once Jesus hears; he directs his attention to Bartimaeus saying,

 “What do you want me to do for you?” 

 

 Jesus restores sight to Bartimaeus following his own display of courage.

Bartimaeus was willing to stand up and come to Jesus.

 

We too suffer from blindness in our life;

perhaps it is not physical blindness, but we do not see clearly.

 I dare say we may even choose blindness in some cases.

We do not want to see much that is around us.

 

Bartimaeus was not a person of importance;

he was not one of those followers of Jesus.

 Bartimaeus was a man who had faith.

It was his faith that ultimately saved him 

 

Bartimaeus states his request for healing directly, clearly, and precisely.

Sometimes I think our prayers may be too vague.

We should speak in prayer of our precise desires,

knowing of course that we surrender to the will of God.

 

The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.”
Jesus told him, ‘Go your way; your faith has saved you.”
Immediately he received his sight
and followed him on the way.  

 

Lord, show me where I am blind so that I may seek your healing presence.

Blessings waiting for us in our darkness.