26/10/2024
*THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR B) 27/10/24*
*THE ROAD TO GREATNESS: A TARGET FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN*
Tochukwu Okonkwo, OFM Cap.
St Augustine of Hippo has it that the God who made you without you cannot save you without you. And again, he says that adults' salvation chiefly depends on prayers. This means that God expects us to cooperate towards our salvation.
The episode of the healing of Bartimaeus in today’s gospel (Mk 10:46-52) has a lot to teach us on how encountering Christ can bring enlightenment and transformation for a Christian. Bartimaeus had been blind and dependent on people largely until he encountered Christ.
Hearing that Jesus was near he cried out for healing against all odds (Mk 10:48). His plea was more of a cry of faith for a fresh beginning. He defied the obstacle of the crowds and called out in faith without giving up.
When asked what he wanted, he said “Master, that I may see.” This is a symbol of what happens to us at baptism where the eyes of our faith are opened and we are enlightened to follow Jesus on the way.
The first reading (Jer. 31:7-9) of today is a prelude and pointer to the gospel message as God leads a “blind” people, Israel out of slavery in Egypt. God was their guide, and he guided them with care and compassion. Similarly, if we follow Jesus, he leads us out of the darkness of sin to the light of faith.
The second reading (Heb. 5:1-6) is consolation for those who follow Christ after being illumed with the light of his spirit. We are told that he is our travel companion on our way and understands our plight since he was human and lived among us.
Going back to the story of Bartimaeus, we see that he not only calls Jesus by his first name but also by his origin from human descent – “Son of David.”
Some people are comfortable with their neighbours' discomfort. Some are not happy with the happiness of others. The crowd that initially tried to hush Bartimaeus and hamper him from seeing Jesus turned to his helper when Jesus summoned him.
Notice that Jesus asked him what he wanted. And this blind Bartimaeus who had always come to beg identified Jesus and begged for what no one else could give him – sight rather than money even though he was out to beg for money.
Jesus asked him to go his way for his faith had saved him rather than going away, he goes with Jesus all the way. This shows that this is not so much a story of healing but that of a call – vocation.
Juxtaposing this story with that of two Sundays ago, the rich man went away sad when invited by Jesus to a deeper relationship. That of last Sunday had James and John asking for places of honour. However, when Jesus asked Bartimaeus what he wanted, he asked for sight—this was more of spiritual sight and not a place of honour or any other material benefit. He is a representation of a true disciple who follows the way of Christ.
*LESSONS FOR TODAY:*
1. Bartimaeus persevered and his focus on not being deterred from encountering Christ is an example for us. The more they tried to hush him, the louder he cried out and became the first to give Jeus the name “son of David” in Mark’s gospel. What or who distracts us from Christ? What efforts have you put in to conquer those things or those people and to be stronger in following Christ?
2. When Jesus called him, the same crowd that tried to stop him helped him to Jesus. In the same vein let us learn to turn our stumbling blocks into stepping stones. When life throws lime at you, you should make out lemonades from them.
3. Jesus, as high priest, understands our weaknesses for he had been there. But we must allow him to transform us. We must keep crying out in faith for his healing (physically and spiritually as we encounter him in his sacraments).
4. Whatever difficulties we may have in our lives, whether in marriage, spiritual life, business, relationships, as a consecrated person and so on, let us learn to cry out like Bartimaeus “Son of David, have mercy on me.” Bartimaeus shows us the practical steps to take in seeking out Christ in our lives – he cried out, he got up and then he went to Jesus.
*FOOD FOR THOUGHT:*
What is it or who is it that keeps me away from Jesus or at least attempting to keep me from him? Like Bartimaeus, what can I do to experience the healing touch he got today?
If we encounter Jesus, like the Psalmist of today we would cry out “What great deeds the Lord worked for us! Indeed, we were glad” (Ps 120).
