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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 and asked who was passing by. When he learned it was Jesus, he called out in desperation, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” By addressing him as Son of David, the blind man was publicly identifying Jesus as King of the Jews, the Messiah.
Imagine the shock of the multitudes when Jesus stopped the entourage to hear the cry of one sinful beggar! In doing so, Jesus fulfilled Psalm 34:6, “This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord, and was saved from every trouble.” Bartimaeus, now the center of attention, had to face the hostile crowd and became so frightened that he needed encouragement to step forward. The disciples provided that courage: “Take heart; get up, he is calling you” (Mark 10:49). As Bartimaeus’ hope for healing was stirred, he threw off his cloak, sprang up, and walked to Jesus. Because a beggar collected alms in the fold of his coat, throwing away his cloak symbolized complete abandonment of his old way of life. He would have to beg no more—the treasure of heaven awaited him.
When this blind man, standing in front of Jesus, heard, “What do you want me to do for you?” he must have thought it an odd question. But Jesus always had a reason for his questions. He knew what the blind man wanted, and he challenged Bartimaeus’s general request, “Jesus son of David, have mercy on me,” hoping to stir a more specific request in faith. Jesus’ challenge was the spark of increased faith that Bartimaeus needed. Dare he risk disappointment, embarrassment, or rejection by making a specific request? Yes! Bartimaeus quickly understood what the Lord required of him. He rose to the challenge and declared specifically, “Let me see!” And immediately he received his sight.
With the help of Jesus and his disciples, Bartimaeus rose from desperation to courage, from courage to hope, from hope to faith, and from faith to a place in Scripture as one who was healed. But his story doesn’t end there. When Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well,” many new possibilities awaited the blind man who could now see. He chose to follow Jesus on the “way” (Mark 10:52), a term used by the early Christian community to describe their way of life (see Acts 9:2).
Once a beggar who could do no more than receive, Bartimaeus was now a disciple, empowered to give. He did not selfishly go his own way after his need was met. He saw and he followed.
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?