Word to the Wise
Monday, November 18, 2024 - Monday in the 33th Week in Ordinary Time
[Rev 1:1-4; 2:1-5 and Luke 18:35-43]Jesus asked him: "What do you want me to do for you?" He replied, "Lord, please let me see?" He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God." [Luke]
The blind man (called "Bartimaeus" in the Gospel According to Mark) is usually the focus of attention in this story. He calls out to Jesus with the words, "Jesus, Son of David...." which is a messianic title and would indicate faith of some kind. Jesus responds to that faith and restores the blind man's sight, In turn, the blind man "follows" him.
But there is a different form of blindness in this story. It is the "blindness" of the crowd who are presumably following Jesus - at least physically. Their "blindness" to Bartimaeus' faith causes them to try to silence him! But the voice of his faith is louder than the "shhhhh!" of the crowds!
We have a modern example of this in Pope Francis. He has reached out through the disapproving crowd to welcome individuals who have felt themselves excluded and marginalized by the Church - e.g. divorced/remarried, LGBTQ persons, etc.. He has emphasized the importance of personal "encounter" with Christ and "accompaniment" of those trying to find their way to greater inclusion in following Him. In doing so, Pope Francis is calling attention not just to these excluded persons but also to the "blindness" that excludes them. Can we hear their cries and "see" them and help them to join us on the way with Jesus? AMEN