REFLECTIONS TODAY
The Gospel narrates the story of Jesus’ healing of Bartimaeus. The text mentions Bartimaeus sitting by the roadside “on hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth” (v 47). Sitting by the roadside is symbolic of Bartimaeus’ act of waiting patiently for Jesus to pass by, so much so that it was easy for him to recognize the voice of Jesus. We can sense here that Bartimaeus is determined to call on Jesus, defying the people’s order to keep quiet. In turn, Jesus is sensitive to the explicit appeals of Bartimaeus,“Jesus, son of David, have pity on me” (v 47)… “Master, I want to see” (v 51). The Gospel calls us to emulate Jesus’ sensitivity to the needy as his priority amidst his busy schedule. Likewise, it challenges us to imitate Bartimaeus’ deep trust in the Lord to heal him of his blindness. What forms of blindness do we experience that need most of God’s healing? How profound is our faith in God to believe that he will make us well? Gospel • Mark 10:46-52 As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, he is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” 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. Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]); Website: [http://www.stpauls.ph](http://www.stpauls.ph).