Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
(Sirach 42:15-25; Mark 10:46-52)
Faith has been called another way of
seeing. It looks beyond the physical to spiritual
realities that surround us. It
recognizes that the true goals of life are not the comfort and pleasure of
luxury but the joy and peace of God’s kingdom.
It also sees the Church as helping attain these goals. Today’s gospel conveys this message.
When Bartimaeus asks Jesus for sight, he no
doubt wants to see colors and shapes like everyone else. Jesus grants him this ability and adds the
vocation of following him. With that gift
Bartimaeus does not go his own way but joins the community of disciples on the
way to eternal life.
We may possess a lot, but we are still like
Bartimaeus in that we have needs.
Whether it is finding a job or putting up with problematic people, we
call out to the Lord, “Help.” We should
not be surprised that whatever he grants us, an increase of faith is included. In time it will likely become more precious
than what we asked for.
