As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.
REFLECTION
"Have pity on me"....“Call him.”
Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, had a family, yet, he was begging by the roadside in Jericho. When he cried for Jesus to have pity on him, many in the crowd rebuked him. Undaunted, he kept calling out, this time addressing Jesus as the Son of David.
Blind people were not able to provide for themselves so they were reduced to begging. The social status of a blind person was to think that God was punishing him or for the sins of his parents.
Bartimaeus was alone, needed help but was ostracized. He knew Jesus could help him. Finding Him can be difficult because even if there are many around me, I need to find Him myself. Bartimaeus persevered in prayer just as we, too, patiently persevere in prayer for ourselves and others.
Every gift from God is an act of mercy and we cannot earn, purchase or deserve His graces. We approach Him in prayer by removing all obstacles that will interfere in our encounter. Throw aside our cloaks, our sins, our attitudes, temptations as they, like the crowd, impede our progress, encourage us to give up, doubt that God loves or cares for us.
What can we do if we are not Bartimaeus? Then do as Jesus told His apostles: “Call him.” and take the Bartimaeus' of the world to Jesus.
You shall not curse a person who is deaf,
nor put a stumbling block before a person who is blind,
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