Mark’s story about Bartimaeus can be read as a story of how God deals with His people.  In the same way that Jesus calls to this blind man, He also calls to us.

Here is Jesus on His way to die, and He stops to help this man, who many would see as a nobody.  Perhaps Jesus takes time to stop to show that this blind beggar is really a somebody, a person worthy of our respect and care.

Jesus says to Bartimaeus what He also says to each of us:  “What do you want me to do for you?”  It is a key question that is asked of all of us whenever we approach Jesus in prayer.  May our answer always be: “Lord, that we may see in areas where we are blind because of selfishness; and hear where we are deaf to the cries of pain around us.”

When Jesus confirms the blind man’s faith with a cure, Bartimaeus, instead of going his own way as Jesus instructed, follows Jesus up the road.   This is a challenge to us.  When we receive a gift from the Lord, do we go our own way and use it only for ourselves, or do we sometimes go up the road with Jesus to share it with other people who may need more help than we do?

Many are the times Jesus has stopped to take notice of us and to transform us.  When we were nobodies, He made us somebodies.  When we were sick spiritually, he made us whole.  When we were down, he lifted us up.

As disciples of Jesus, we need to stop more often to ask people: “What can I do for you?  How can I be of help?”

God Bless,

Msgr. Powell