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Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho on their way to Jerusalem, about eighteen miles southwest, to celebrate the Passover feast.
This was to fulfill the law, which required that every male Jew over twelve years of age who lived within a day’s journey of Jerusalem come to the city for Passover.
Everywhere Jesus went, people gathered to hear the wisdom and comfort of his words and to receive his healing touch. This day was no exception. As Jesus and his disciples walked the Jericho road, a crowd gathered around him. A blind beggar, Bartimaeus, took his usual position on the road to beg alms from pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. It was customary for those who were unable to attend the feast to line the streets of towns and villages through which groups of Passover pilgrims passed so they could gather around the popular rabbis to hear their teaching on the way. Bartimaeus heard the clamoring of the crowd…
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What a wonderful explication of the witness of Bartimaeus! That we might all have such faith, hope and courage in Christ to call out now, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me,” and to go to Him with everything, holding nothing back! I hope that in each day and with everyone I meet, I will be able to offer the same kind of loving encouragement as shown by the disciples, and that I will always be strong enough to each day renew my commitment to God and encourage others to do the same.
I have been pondering this scripture reading since Saturday night Mass. Do we need to be on our knees begging for Jesus’s help before he decides to call us? The first thing Jesus said upon hearing the beggar’s voice was “call him.” I think it is both beautiful and mysterious that our Lord does not dismiss us, but I can’t help but wonder do we need to be at a place in our lives on our knees when everything seems dark and hopeless to really open up dialogue with our Lord so that we will truly receive his help or guidance? I find that this is where my husband and I are right now in our marriage and I draw such strength from this story. Does he want us to know that when we are truly open to receiving his answers and ways we will hear him and have our needs met?