Word to the Wise
Thursday, May 30, 2013 - Thursday in the 8th Week in Ordinary Time
[Sir 42:15-25 and Mark 10:46-52]On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, son of David, have pity on me." And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent.....
For the first time that I know of, there are many people who are paying attention to the daily preaching of a Pope! Pope Francis celebrates the Eucharist daily for Vatican personnel in the building where he resides. His homilies are being quickly translated and posted on the Vatican website or on blogs such as <whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com>. One of his consistent themes appears to be a church that reaches out to everyone. Jesus came to save everyone, "even atheists!" The disciples and crowd who try to silence Bartimaemus, the blind man, reflect the "closed" mentality that Pope Francis is trying to overcome!
Scripture scholars point out that this scene in the Gospel of Mark today shows a man who recognizes Jesus, accepts what Jesus can do for him and then "followed him on the way," which means to Jerusalem and suffering. The disciples again fail to understand and recognize faith in someone "else." Bartimaeus calls Jesus by a "messianic" title, "Son of David," which shows the depth of his faith.
Faith is where you find it. It may indeed exist in someone who never sets foot in our church. Can we recognize it and encourage it and be welcoming when we see it? Pope Francis is leading the way! AMEN