Daily Reflection – Oct 28, 2018
Sunday 28 October 2018
First Reading: JER 31:7-9
Responsorial Psalm:
The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
PS 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6
Second Reading: HEB 5:1-6
Gospel Reading: MK 10:46-52
Today’s Note: Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gospel Reading:
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:
He began to cry out. (Mark 10:47)
Bartimaeus makes it perfectly clear: when we really want something, we will push through the obstacles in order to get it.
Bartimaeus pushed through the opposition of the crowd that tried to keep him from Jesus. He wanted to be healed, and nothing would stop him. In a similar way, the “crowds” of the world seem to want to keep us from Jesus and from receiving his healing touch. They are telling us to be content with who we are. “Jesus can’t help you,” they tell us, “so just accept the status quo instead.”
The problem is, what the world offers can leave us restless, unfulfilled, always searching, always looking for the next best thing to make us happy. All too often, our desires for God’s peace and love become fleeting moments that get shouted down by the influence of the crowd.
Each day, in certain ways, we face opposition similar to what Bartimaeus faced. He was wrapped in a “cloak” of comfort (Mark 10:50). The crowd told him to stay put and to be content with his blindness. “Jesus cannot help you; you’re not worth his time.” But Bartimaeus was desperate. He refused to listen to the crowd. As a result, Jesus heard him, and Bartimaeus gladly threw off his cloak and ran to where Jesus could wrap him in divine love.
Follow Bartimaeus’ example! The crowds of the world want all of your time, but you don’t have to follow them. Today and every day, you can throw aside the “cloak” of partial comfort and spring up to meet Jesus (Mark 10:50). Let him wrap you in a cloak of grace and healing.
Remember this as well: while the crowds of the world want to keep you from Jesus, there are also crowds of disciples who want to follow him. They can help you grow in your faith. Find people who pray together. Find a Bible study. Join people who serve the poor. Surround yourself with people who share your desire for Jesus. Join them as you follow Jesus “on the way” (Mark 10:52).
“Open my eyes, Lord, to the disciples around me.”
