GOSPEL: Mark 10:46-52
Theme: Bartimaeus
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today’s gospel narrates the story of the healing of the blind beggar, Bartimaeus, by Jesus Christ. The name ‘Bar-timaeus’ (son of Timaeus) was like the surname of the blind beggar. The name could have several meanings: ‘son of honour’, ‘son of integrity’ and ‘son of unclean’, among others. Beloved what could be more depressing than the initial circumstance of the man Bartimaeus, blind, poor (beggar), and insignificant (known only by his father’s name), and yet the end of the gospel story is so amazing: great faith, rich in Christ and so significant that his story is recorded for generations to be edified.
If one is physically blind or losing his sight, he/she can identify with Bartimaeus: the future can be great!
If one is poor or jobless, he/she can identify with Bartimaeus: the future holds some good news!
If one is considered insignificant, he/she can identify with Bartimaeus: the future will tell his/her great story!
If one is depressed by the circumstances of his/her life, he/she can identify with Bartimaeus: there is light at the end of the tunnel!
If one is discouraged by the voices around him/her, he/she can identify with Bartimaeus: the healing voice of Jesus is yet to be heard!
If one is in need of God’s mercy, he/she can identify with Bartimaeus: forgiveness will soon be experienced!
If one’s prayer seems not to be heard by God, he/she can identify with Bartimaeus: perseverance will never fail him/her!
If one’s cry for help is ignored by family, friends and society, he/she can identify with Bartimaeus: Jesus is different!
Beloved, in the end Bartimaeus became a ‘winner’, his sight was restored, his spiritual wealth invested in Jesus Christ, and his dignity regained (he become truly the ‘son of honour’) as he begged no more for his daily bread! But, how did he access the restoration power of Jesus? He used the ‘password’ of faith; thus Jesus told him: ‘God, your faith has saved you’ (Mk. 10:52)!
Beloved, I pray that anytime you are depressed or discouraged, you will also victoriously access the restoration power of Jesus Christ through the password of faith, and forever remain a ‘son/daughter of honour’! Amen!
By Very Rev. Fr. John Louis
