Sunday Synopsis: A Faith That Saves!

30^th Sunday of the Year, B – October 27, 2024

Readings: Jer. 31:7-9; Ps 125:1-6; Hebrews 5:1-6; Gospel – Mark 10:46-52.

In the first reading, the Prophet Jeremiah presents us with the message of hope for the “remnant of Israel.” The second reveals Jesus as the heavenly High Priest who pleads our course. It was necessary for the personage Melchizedek to provide an alternative priesthood which would be the basis for the Messiah to be identified as a High Priest. The Gospel reading discloses the encounter between Jesus and Bartimaeus in which the blind beggar was healed. Like Bartimaeus, we are urged to follow Christ bearing in mind that only a deep faith saves.

Introduction

Friends in Christ, today the Church gives us another opportunity to reflect on faith. Our reflection is premised on the message of restoration and total recovery in the first reading, the assurance of a high priest who empathises with us in the second reading, and the encounter between Jesus and Bartimaeus the blind beggar in the gospel.

Background & Summary of the Readings 

In the first reading (Jer. 31:7-9), the Prophet Jeremiah presents us with the message of hope for the “remnant of Israel.” He assures that despite the violence and trauma Judah suffered because of the destruction of Jerusalem and exile to Babylon, there is hope. His radical articulation of hope becomes a roadmap for survival. Classically, the Prophet highlights a glorious homecoming, stunning restoration, and renewed relationships for the people. Although the survivors of war experienced suffering and marginality, the Prophet maintains that God would redeem his people from their troubles.

The second (Heb. 5:1-6) reveals Jesus as the heavenly High Priest who pleads our course. The first part of the text defines who a priest is and the criteria for being a priest while the second part shows how Christ meets these criteria. It reveals that he offers sacrifices for his sins and the sins of the community especially on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) – the annual ritual where the High Priest atones for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16). The reading presents Jesus as that sinless sympathetic and empathetic High Priest who shows solidarity with sinners. This is why a priest ought to identify with sinners because he is subject to weakness.

The reading also connects Jesus’ Priesthood to that of Melchizedek. While the regular Jewish priests were from the tribe of Levi, Jesus came from the tribe of Judah. To strike a balance, it was necessary for the personage Melchizedek to provide an alternative priesthood which would be the basis for the Messiah to be identified as a High Priest, notwithstanding his Non-Levitical ancestry – this means that Christ is a priest “forever,” thus revealing Christ’s immortal post-resurrection status which provides a contrast with the mortality of the Levitical Priests.

The Gospel reading (Mark 10:46-52) discloses the encounter between Jesus and Bartimaeus in which the blind beggar was healed. It reveals how the beggar defied the crowd to beg Jesus for healing. The reading stated that he addressed Christ as, “Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me.” It notes how Jesus ordered the same crowd who tried to shut him up to call him. When Jesus asked him what he wanted, he said, he wanted his sight back. Jesus made a command – his sight was restored, and he followed Christ along the road.

Pastoral Lessons

1. Be Empathetic: The message of the second reading which presents Jesus as a sinless sympathetic and empathetic High Priest who shows solidarity with sinners calls us to learn from our Lord and Master by identifying with sinners and the vulnerable to bring them the love of Christ the wounded healer who came not to be served to but serve and give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28).
2. Develop a Deep Faith: In Bartimaeus, we find the finest expression of faith – The blind man’s faith was active because even though he was physically blind, he saw by faith – this positions us to develop a deep faith mindful of the fact that we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) and God can do much more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
3. Trust and Obey: By throwing off his cloak and jumping up to meet Jesus in obedience, the blind beggar was not only doubly sure that he would regain his sight but quite certain of the scripture which says, “Obedience is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22) – We are challenged to obey Jesus’ summons by doing the will of God.
4. Be Hopeful: That blind Bartimaeus looked forward to a day he would be healed meant that he was always hopeful; he believed that God was not done with him yet; he was convinced that one day, he would see again. It was that unwavering hope that got him the miracle of his lifetime. Just so, Christians are tasked not to lose hope in the face of sickness, hunger, unemployment, or other trials.
5. Be Persistent: The persistence of Bartimaeus added substance to his bold expression of faith. This is because he never gave naysayers the chance to rob him of the golden opportunity to get his sight back. We are challenged to always remember that our endurance will win us our lives.

Summary Lines

1. In the first reading, the Prophet Jeremiah presents us with the message of hope for the “remnant of Israel.”
2. The second reveals Jesus as the heavenly High Priest who pleads our course.
3. It was necessary for the personage Melchizedek to provide an alternative priesthood which would be the basis for the Messiah to be identified as a High Priest.
4. The Gospel reading discloses the encounter between Jesus and Bartimaeus in which the blind beggar was healed.
5. Jesus made a command, his sight was restored and he followed Christ along the road.

 Conclusion

In conclusion, our liturgy calls us to develop an enduring faith that saves. Just as blind Bartimaeus took a leap of faith, we are charged to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in the daily events of our lives. Since God can redeem us from our many troubles and tribulations, we ought to look up to no other than him. As an eternal priest, he sympathises and empathises with us in our weaknesses by extending the miracle he granted the blind beggar to us. May God continue to grant us “a lively faith animated by charity” through Christ our Lord. Amen!