Word to the Wise
Thursday, June 1, 2023 - Thursday in the 8th Week in Ordinary Time
[Sir 42:15-25 and Mark 10:46-52]"What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man replied to him, "Master, I want to see." Jesus told him, "God your way; your faith has saved you." Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way. [Mark]
JUNE 1 ST. JUSTIN, martyr
The encounter between Jesus and the blind beggar, Bartimaeus, is filled with lessons for us all. I have not printed the entire encounter but I urge the Beloved Congregation to read it. A first thing to note is that when Bartimaeus inquires about the crowd passing by and is told that Jesus of NAZARETH is passing by, he calls out "Jesus, SON OF DAVID, have pity on me. There is a spark of light in the blindness. But the crowd "following" Jesus tries to silence Bartimaeus until Jesus notices him and then they turn around and encourage him!!
A second thing to note is Jesus' question: "What do you want me to do for you?" How would we answer that? Bartimaeus did not ask for alms in the ordinary sense. He asked for the gift of sight. Jesus recognizes not only Bartimaeus' physical need but also the faith that Bartimaeus already has shown. "Go your way: your faith has saved you."
It could be an interesting reflection to place ourselves in the character of Bartimaeus and also in the character of the crowd. Can we become so focused on our own interests and try to silence anyone else who cries out in faith? Pope Francis has come under criticism from certain currents in Catholicism for responding to people like Bartimaeus. How do we respond? AMEN