October 24, 2021
30th Sunday Ordinary B
There is a link between the Gospel readings. Last Sunday James and John asked Jesus for a favor. Today, Bartimaeus cries out: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy one me.†In both encounters, Jesus asks the two brother apostles and the blind beggar to put their desire into words. “What do you want me to do for you?†James and John request a special place of honor and recognition when Jesus comes to glory. Bartimaeus begs: “Master, I want to see.†There is a difference. For James and John it is a matter of pride. It is what they want for themselves. For Bartimaeus, it comes from his brokenness. It is a heartfelt need.
Something wonderful is taking place in the healing of the blind beggar. The oracle of Jeremiah is being fulfilled. The Lord is delivering his people, the remnant of Israel, from bondage and exile, and bringing them back to the Holy City. God is gathering the blind, the lame, and nursing mothers, consoling, guiding, and leading them to brooks of water.
St. Mark, the evangelist, is contrasting the self-centered request of James and John with Bartimaeus. Time and place are important. Jesus is leaving Jericho on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish feast of Passover. The end is near. He is teaching his disciples that he must suffer, die, and give up his life in ransom for others. James and John are preoccupied with their own self-interest. Bartimaeus seems to know that Jesus is the Messiah by calling him: “Son of David, have mercy on me.†Literally in the Greek, Bartimaeus goes on to say: “My teacher, let me see again.†It is more than the restoration of his physical sight. By calling Jesus “My teacher†Bartimaeus expresses the desire of a student to listen to and of a disciple to follow Jesus. After Jesus heals Bartimaeus of his blindness, he releases him to go on his way, his own pursuits, but Bartimaeus follows Jesus “on the way.â€
The early believing communities understood these verses in the Gospel in reference to Jeremiah foreseeing God leading the blind to life giving “brooks of water†and to the sacrament of baptism. The crowd encouraging Bartimaeus to get up and come to Jesus becomes the community urging others to be baptized into Christ. Bartimaeus tossing off his cloak reminds the faithful of the removal of clothing before immersion into the water and the “putting on†a new baptismal garment symbolizing the transformation of one’s life.
Last Sunday, we celebrated a baptism during the 11 AM Mass. When I publicly questioned the parents about what they are asking of the Church for their daughter, the father simply replied: "To walk in the light of Jesus." Can anything more or better be said? The dad expresses the desire of everyone here at Eucharist today. We want our eyes open to see, to know, and to follow Jesus. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the light.
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29th Sunday Ordinary B
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31st Sunday Ordinary B
