October 27, 2024: Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Mark 10:46-52

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

This Sunday’s Gospel presents us with perhaps the most powerful five-word prayer in all of scripture: “Master, I want to see.” The request is simple and direct. Bartimaeus uses no extra words. He doesn’t apologize for making a disturbance. He knows what he wants, indeed what he needs.  

He asks for Jesus’ pity and hopes for his physical sight to be restored. This simple line sums up what we all want from Jesus. We want to see. How often do we explain our needs to God who sees and knows them all already? We can take a lesson from Bartimaeus; say what we need and let God do the rest. 

And Bartimaeus is persistent in calling out, refusing to be silenced. He knows Jesus can help him and he doesn’t want to take “no” for an answer. “We too must be persistent in prayer. Saint Mother Theodore reminds us to be patient and trustful — just as Bartimaeus was. Perhaps we can be the answer to that prayer for someone else. Perhaps someone else can help us to see if we are open to the possibility.

Action

Can we make this simple but powerful prayer part of our regular prayers this week?  Whom can we help to see?  Who can help us?