Sunday, October 27, 2024

THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

(Jeremiah 31:7-9; Hebrews 5:1-6; Mark 10:46-52)

One has to love today’s gospel. It is full of all the passion and meaning typical of the Gospel according to Saint Mark.

To fully understand what Mark wants to tell us here, we have to remember last Sunday's gospel. When the Zebedee brothers ask Jesus for a favor, the Lord answers them: “'What do you want me to do for you?'” It is the same answer that he gives to the blind Bartimaeus in today's gospel. Saint Mark is calling us to compare the two requests or, rather, the speakers of the two.

James and John ask from the Lord the highest positions in the Kingdom. They desire prestige and power for their own aggrandizement. In contrast, the blind man asks for sight so that he may fully appreciate the reality that God has created. He wants to work, have a family, perhaps exercise some independence, but he also wants to help his neighbors.

How can we presume that the blind man has all these good objectives in mind? Because of what he does once the Lord grants his desire. He does not collect the alms he has received to celebrate his new vision. Rather, he leaves everything to follow Jesus along the way. For Bartimaeus, money is a small thing compared to vision which he will use to carry out his discipleship.

Once again, Mark emphasizes Jesus as the Messiah who comes to serve others. He is not angry with the Zebedee for their outrageous request. Rather, he shows them patience and confirms them as disciples when he invites them to drink from his cup of suffering and endure his baptism of blood. His favor to Bartimaeus is even more generous. He grants his request to see in order to confirm the blind man’s faith in him as the “son of David”; that is, the Messiah. It is true Christian faith that realizes that the Messiah does not come to subdue peoples with his sword but to forgive the sins of people with his death on the cross.

Somehow, we must adopt Bartimaeus' faith. Even though we are neither blind nor unemployed, we lack spiritual health. We are inclined to think of ourselves as more worthy than others. We are apt to shirk our responsibilities when we have the opportunity. Many of us are like the people in the story who try to silence the shouting blind man. We regard faith as a private matter that does not allow public displays. We believe that each person can live out faith according to his or her own judgment. It is spiritual blindness that can be lethal. We belong to a community of faith with designated leaders to be followed.

In the gospel Jesus pays no attention to these people. Rather, he hears the one who cries out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” It is the faith of this poor blind man that we must imitate.  As the story of Bartimaeus ends with him following Jesus along the way, we must follow the pope, the vicar of Christ.

Thursday, June 1, 2023

Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr

(Sirach 42:15-25; Mark 10:46-52)

Jesus asks Bartimaeus what he might do for him, the blind man replies, “’I want to see.’”  Bartimaeus may not realize it, but he already sees what is most important.  His mind’s eye recognizes Jesus as the Savior.  Today’s patron saint comes to a similar spiritual vision.

Born into a Greco-Roman family, Justin studied philosophy and rhetoric.  Around the age of thirty having been encouraged to read the Scriptures, he became a Christian.  Justin spent the second half of his life teaching the coherence of Christian faith and philosophy.  He was martyred after refusing to profess faith in the Roman deities.

We too possess the spiritual vision of Bartimaeus and Justin Martyr.  It is more valuable than physical sight because it allows us to know the goodness of the Lord.  He makes us better people and, when the time comes, will save us from death.

Sunday, , October 24, 2021

 THIRTIETH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME

(Jeremiah 31:7-9; Hebrews 5:1-6; Mark 10:46-52)

Not long ago a song with a religious theme gained a lot of attention. "All God’s Creatures " tells of the choir of animals praising the creator. It goes: “All God’s creatures have a place in the choir; some sing low and some sing higher.” The choir signifies the Church that encompasses men and women from different walks of life. For the past three Sundays we have heard in the gospel Jesus calling different types of people to himself.

Two weeks ago Jesus recommended that the rich man leave his money to the poor and follow him. Last Sunday Jesus allowed the two arrogant brothers, called at the beginning of the gospel, to remain in his company despite their scandalous request. Today Jesus calls the daring blind beggar Bartimaeus to his presence. These men represent the range of people who inhabit the world. Implicitly or explicitly, everyone is called to follow the Lord.

Jesus always calls the person with love. The gospel makes it clear that Jesus looked at the rich man with love when he called him. To the brothers Jesus showed his love by calmly explaining the ways of his kingdom. Now Jesus shows mercy to the beggar when he hears him yelling his name. He has love for us as well. He knows our troubles and our obligations. He wants to help us overcome these challenges.

As good as Jesus is, we cannot fail to fall in love with him. He becomes the goal of our life. This is what happens to Bartimaeus. After receiving sight, he can do nothing but follow the Lord. The story reminds us of a movie about the seven monks who were martyred in Algeria thirty years ago. One of the monks was a doctor who had a dispensary for the townspeople in the monastery. One day a Muslim girl asked him what it is like to fall in love. The monk replied: “It is an attraction, a desire, a revival of the spirits, an intensification of life itself.” The girl then asked him if he had ever fallen in love. The monk replied that yes, a number of times. She continued questioning: "Why did you never get married?" The man explained that he found a greater love that led him to the monastery.  Of course, the love that he found was Jesus.

However, it is not necessary that love for Jesus lead us to a monastery. It can lead to a marriage with Christ as its center, or to a single life dedicated to the good of others. Our love for Christ has different forms, but each one is characterized by sacrifice and obedience to his commands.

Falling in love with Jesus changes our perspective. We rearrange our values. Instead of having wealth or importance as the goal of our life, we put Jesus first. We act like Bartimaeus. Upon healing from blindness, he does not return home to share the wonder he experienced with his family. Much less does he stop to collect the coins that he has been given. He immediately follows Jesus to Jerusalem.

Is it possible for us to fall in love with Jesus? Didn't he live two thousand years ago? How can we even know him today? No, Jesus is alive and dwells among us. We hear him at least weekly through the gospel that tells us about his love. We see him in the poor who live with both humility and integrity. Above all, we find him in the Bread of the Altar that strengthens us to overcome life’s challenges.

Thursday, May 27, 2021

 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.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

(Sirach 42;15-25; Mark 10:46-52)

In considering his blindness John Milton wrote a sonnet.  He complained that he might be judged as unworthy if he did not produce something worthwhile for God.  Then he had the insight that God would not exact from a person more than He enabled the person to do.  Milton concluded his poem by writing, “They also serve who only stand and wait”; that is, waiting patiently for the Lord is also an act of faith worthy of salvation.  Today’s gospel recounts a similar tale of a blind man’s faith.

As he sits begging, Bartimaeus wants sight more than alms.  A few coins might see him through the day, but sight could liberate him from his miserable occupation.  He feels hope rising when he hears that Jesus, the healer, is drawing near.  He calls out, “’Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.’” Recognizing Jesus as “Son of David” indicates a preliminary faith in him.  This faith is rewarded with physical sight.  At this point Bartimaeus has an insight into the fullness of faith.  Rather than going his own way, he decides to follow Jesus.  It is known that Jesus is bound for martyrdom in Jerusalem.  Bartimaeus is risking his own life to accompany him.

All of us face difficulties in life.  We should pray to Jesus to see us through them to safety.  We should also, like Bartimaeus, not shirk from following Jesus when the situation turns even more difficult.  He is our true prize. 

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

(Sirach 42:15-25; Mark 10:46-52)

Ministers working in hospitals are accustomed to patients saying that they will contact them after being discharged.  But such communication seldom takes place.  It is not that the patients speak insincerely, but that they lack the spiritual energy to revisit the place of confinement.  Bartimaeus in the gospel today would be an exception to this observation.  Jesus sends him away, but he steadfastly follows Jesus.

The passage is a healing story laced with irony.  Bartimaeus does not see Jesus with his eyes but possesses faith in him, which is another way of seeing.  He acknowledges Jesus as “’son of David’” meaning that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah.  By restoring his physical sight, Jesus confirms the efficacy of Bartimaeus’ faith.  Although one might argue that in obedience to Jesus, Bartimaeus should have gone his own way, his faith is more coherent for following the one whom he believes will liberate Israel from bondage.

Few of us called to a radical following of Jesus like Bartimaeus embarks.  Nevertheless, if, like Bartimaeus, we acknowledge Jesus as the savior of the people, we must conform ourselves to him spiritually.  This means not only that we accept the suffering that comes our way, but also that we go out of our way to share the burden of those who may be hurting more than we.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

(Sirach 42:15-25; Mark 10:46-52)

Ministers working in hospitals and prisons are accustomed to patients and inmates telling them that they will contact them after being released. However, such communication seldom takes place. It is not that they lied before or that they intentionally wish to avoid those who helped them, but that they lack the spiritual energy to revisit the place of confinement. Bartimaeus in the gospel today would be an exception to this observation. Jesus sends him away, but he steadfastly follows Jesus.

The passage is a healing story laced with irony. Bartimaeus does not see Jesus with his eyes but possesses faith in him, which is another way of seeing. He acknowledges Jesus as “’son of David’” meaning that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah. By restoring his physical sight, Jesus confirms the efficacy of Bartimaeus’ faith. Although one might argue that in obedience to Jesus, Bartimaeus should have gone his own way, he is more coherent for following the one whom he believes will liberate Israel from bondage.

We are not being called to such a radical following since Jesus does not now humanly walk the earth. Nevertheless, if, like Bartimaeus, we acknowledge him as our savior, we should conform ourselves to him spiritually. This means not only that we accept the suffering that comes our way without grumbling, but also that we go out of our way to share the burden of those who may be hurting more than we.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

(I Peter 2:2-15.9-12; Mark 10:46-52)

Is there any virtue more American than autonomy? More than anything else Americans want control over their own lives. We want our own car, even our own home. When we are sick, we ask to be kept abreast of our condition. We want to die when we are ready, and then we want to write our own funeral script.

Autonomy is good for it allows us to give ourselves in faith to the Lord. In the gospel passages for Monday and today we meet two contrasting figures – one autonomous from the start and the other made so by Jesus. The man who approached Jesus asking what he must do to attain eternal life was perfectly autonomous. He came looking for Jesus under his own power and ably put to him his question. Disappointed with Jesus’ answer, he left because he had many possessions – another sign of autonomy. On the other hand, the blind man must sit and wait for Jesus to pass by. He is completely at Jesus’ mercy in that if Jesus chooses to ignore him, there would be no way for him to make his request. Jesus’ bestowal of sight grants the blind man autonomy. The man makes good use of it: he follows Jesus on the way to Jerusalem. In his case, but not in the first man’s, autonomy leads to salvation.

A woman of indeterminate age was standing in church at mass. You could not tell her age because she was little more than two feet tall! She looked mature but it also appeared that she was part of a family with children who were nine or ten. Her situation was freakish and yet she appeared to be content. She eagerly participated in the peace rite and then took communion. Looking at her, one feels sorry but perhaps that such sorrow is misplaced. Like the blind man of today’s gospel, she apparently uses whatever autonomy she has to follow Jesus. Like the blind man, her autonomy apparently ends in salvation.

Homilette for Thursday, May 29

Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

(Mark 10:46-52)

Pope Benedict has called Jesus the “pearl of great price.” In other words, Jesus is the gospel treasure for which we are wise to give up all we have. He provides us not just subsistence but life in abundance. His Spirit brightens our darkest days in this world, and he personally brings us across the abyss of death into a realm of delight.

The blind Bartimaeus realizes Jesus’ overwhelming value in the gospel today. We see Bartimaeus sitting on the ground with his cloak spread out to catch alms tossed by passers-by. When Jesus calls him, Bartimaeus throws his cloak aside with any and all coins that have accumulated. He knows that Jesus can provide the power to render unnecessary begging for pittances.

Jesus gives Bartimaesus his sight which is gospel shorthand for faith. Bartimeaus can see more than colors, he can perceive that Jesus is the one to follow the rest of his life. The passage is quite explicit: Bartimaeus “followed (Jesus) on the way.” Jesus, of course, is on his way to Jerusalem where he will be crucified. His followers will also be persecuted, but no matter. Just as Jesus, they will be ushered pass the abyss of death into a realm of delight.