30th
Sunday Ordinary Time (B)—Oct. 26, 2003
Mark 10:40–52
Deacon Lee Hunt
Lord, I Want to See
I have a friend, who I will call Jim. His mother was Catholic and his
father was Protestant, belonging to a church of only one person, to
quote Jim. Jim attended Catholic schools and majored in philosophy in
college. He saw Jesus clearly in his early life. Somewhere during Jim’s
career, he decided that he was an agnostic. Although Jim still conducts
himself in the Christian way of love, he no longer practices any faith.
Jim has lost his spiritual sight and is now blind.
Today’s gospel reading is about the blind beggar, Bartimaeus. His
blindness might have been physical, or spiritual, or both. In any case,
the meaning of this reading is that Jesus gives him the sight of faith.
The reading is about people who do not have their eyes open. So, then,
this story is also about all of us. Put yourself into this story!
Bartimaeus was far from Jesus but finally began the initial step
required by anyone to overcome this problem by crying out to Jesus,
“Son of David, have pity on me.”
As is the case of anyone who calls out this way, Jesus responds. But,
note that Jesus responded through his disciples who then called
Bartimaeus telling him to have courage. We are Jesus’ disciples today
and we are his hands and feet. It is we who are to reach out to those
who are blind. I can try to help my friend, Jim, recover his sight. As
a disciple, this is my responsibility and I cannot hope that someone
else might do it if I do not.
Bartimaeus’ call can be thought of as a baptismal call. Think of the
way in which Bartimaeus through off his coat. You wouldn’t expect a
beggar, who has practically nothing, to get rid of his coat. Bartimaeus
is depending on Jesus to provide everything that he really needs. Back
in the time of Jesus, clothes said who you were; Bartimaeus is ready to
put on a new self. Today, a newly baptized person puts on a white
garment as a symbol of how he or she has become a new self.
Next, Jesus asked Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” And
of course, he replied, “Master, I want to see.” At baptism, the
celebrant asks an adult, “What do you ask of God’s Church?” The answer
is, “Faith.” The answer is the same today as it was 2000 years ago.
Bartimaeus served the Lord because, after receiving his sight, he
followed him on the way. Following Jesus on the way to Jerusalem will
not be easy for Bartimaeus or us. For it is there that Jesus finally
embraces the cross. He must die, be buried, and rise again to glory. We
must all do the same. There is no other way.
In today’s gospel, Jesus asked the blind man, “What do you want me to
do for you?” Today, we are the recipients of this question and each of
us must have our own answer. What do we want Jesus to do for us?
∑ Some of us are blind to our many blessings and too ready to complain
when these are judged to be not enough…Lord, I want to see.
∑ Others turn a blind eye to the poor, overlooking their plight while
excusing ourselves of our responsibility for their well being…Lord, I
want to see.
∑ Certain eyes have been darkened by prejudice, failing to recognize
and respect those of other races, gender, ethnicity, social status,
etc.…Lord, I want to see.
∑ Some of us are blind to life being precious from conception until
natural death…Lord, I want to see.
∑ Others of us, like my friend Jim, are spiritually blind…Lord, I want
to see.
Jesus is on the way walking the road to Jerusalem. This is no time for
us to be sitting by the roadside, held captive by our own blindness. We
must cry out to him, asking for a cure so that we can follow him.
From which blindness must you be cured so that you can follow Jesus on
the way?