30th Sunday of Year B
✠ A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark 10:46-52
As Jesus left Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus (that is, the son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting at the side of the road. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout and to say, ‘Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me.’ And many of them scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he only shouted all the louder, ‘Son of David, have pity on me.’ Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him here.’ So they called the blind man. ‘Courage,’ they said ‘get up; he is calling you.’ So throwing off his cloak, he jumped up and went to Jesus. Then Jesus spoke, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Rabbuni,’ the blind man said to him ‘Master, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has saved you.’ And immediately his sight returned and he followed him along the road.
1. Today’s readings focus on God’s ability to restore hope to the hopeless. In the first reading (Jer31:7-9), the prophet spoke of the restoration of Israel to glory from all the disasters that were yet to befall it. He presents God as one who restores what seems to be beyond restoration. He foresees a day when God will bring back all the exiles from Babylon in an unprecedented way beyond imagination. The psalmist re-echoes the prophecy by comparing the return from exile as a reality that seems like a dream. “When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage, it seemed like a dream” (PS125). In the Gospel, Jesus confirms the prediction of Jeremiah by restoring sight to a blind beggar, a man whose identity was defined by his difficulties: “blind beggar.” Here was a man who has no help, otherwise, he would not be begging. His survival depends on the generosity of others. He stays by the roadside to ask for help if not, he dies.
2. Jericho is the last village before Jerusalem. While Jesus was leaving Jericho for Jerusalem, a great crowd who evidently expected the manifestation of his messianic kingdom followed him. Their noise became a signal to the blind Bartimaeus. He was determined to attract the attention of Jesus in spite of the noise around him. He cried out in a loud voice that was considered ungentlemanly by those around him. They urged him to keep quiet. But the more they tried to stop him, the more he shouted. “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus heard him and asked the people to call him. The people who formerly discouraged him from shouting now came back to encourage him, saying: “Courage, he is calling you.” He threw off his cloak and jumped up and went to Jesus. Jesus engaged him in a little discussion to know what he wanted. His request was simple and direct: “Let me see again.” Jesus responded to his request, and immediately he joined Jesus on his way to Jerusalem.
3. A little analysis of the episode will reveal a number of virtues of the blind man that a good Christian needs to have: attentiveness to the environment, perseverance in doing what one believes to be right, getting rid of unnecessary encumbrance and moving when on has to move.
4. Attentiveness and perseverance: The blind man could not see, but he could hear and speak. He heard the noise, made enquiries, and discovered about Jesus. He made an effort to use his voice to get to Jesus. Even when people felt uncomfortable with his shouting, he persevered until he caught the attention of Jesus. Today, many people have problems, but they hardly pay attention to their environment to get a solution. Some focus their attention on heaven when the solution to their problem is by their side. Many problems that people pray and fast for solution have their solution around them already. Some allow people to discourage them from pursuing the strategy that can resolve their problems. The blind man refused to be discouraged.
5. Getting rid of encumbrances and swinging into action: when the blind man was called by Jesus, he immediately threw off his cloak with which he was covering himself from cold and moved up to Jesus. His cloak is certainly important, but it is valueless when compared with the great advantage of encountering Christ. He has no eyes to see, but he has his legs to walk. Today, some people hold on to useless advantages instead of taking bold steps to better their condition. For example, a young man would prefer to remain a gateman because he is given food and shelter instead of going to learn a trade that will make him more independent and give him better pay. Some others would expect other people to take action on their behalf. The blind man did not hold on to his cloak, nor did he wait for anyone to take him to Jesus. “He jumped up and moved towards Jesus.” His effort paid off. He encountered Jesus, the Game Changer, prophesied by Jeremiah in the first reading. He who, according to today’s second reading, is able to sympathise with people. He received his sight and joined the joyful, healthy people of God.
6. Jesus sympathizes with everyone in need, but his favours are without limit for those who courageously draw his attention to their problems, those who let go of useless advantages and take action when they should. Search yourself and rebuke the discouraging voices around you that are holding you back from encountering Jesus. Reject the useless advantages, the cloaks of sin, and jump into Jesus. Take control of your situation, and your faith in Jesus will heal you.
@ Fr. Vitalis Anaehobi
27/10/24.
