Gospel Reflections for October 25 2015
On the move!
We live in a faced paced world. Our days are often filled with driving here and there; and then to work, or stores, or school, and then home again, and doing a million little tasks every day. Our life today moves fast!
What a contrast to the poor blind man in today’s Gospel. Bartimaus is sitting by himself on the side of a busy road where people are moving quickly back and forth. But his own life is stalled and going nowhere. Suddenly, he hears that Jesus is passing by. He seizes the opportunity and takes a desperate chance! He cries out to the Lord for help, despite the antagonism of the crowd and even the Disciples. Bartimaus is a man of profound courage, and that courage is exactly what Jesus recognizes and honors. Our Lord calls him forward.
While the crowd dismisses Bartimaus as an unimportant person, Jesus honors him with a simple question, “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus recognizes that Bartimaus knows himself well and knows just who to ask to have his needs satisfied. Jesus gives him the chance to speak for himself. Bartimaus simply asks. “Lord, I want to see!”
In the ancient world, a blind man who cannot see “outwardly” was considered to have “in-sight” and could actually “see” deeper realities better than others. Bartimaus accurately “sees” that Jesus is the only one who can change his life. That is why he enthusiastically jumps up to greet Him, throwing aside his only worldly possession, his cloak. Nothing will get in the way of his meeting the Lord! As he hoped, his vision is restored …but that is not all!
Something more happens to Bartimaus from this meeting with Jesus. He leaves his familiar place beside the road and moves along the road with the Disciples and Our Lord. He changes his stalled life to one that is on the move, this time with Jesus. Instead of begging to receive help from others, he will give of himself to help others. You cannot meet Jesus and stay the same person. His change is the actual sign that his meeting was authentic. Bartimaus finally sees outwardly what he should do with his life. He follows Jesus.
Jesus is still “passing by” our life in many moments throughout the day, as busy as we are. Let us “stand up” like Bartimaus, throw off our concerns, follow Jesus, and give of ourselves to those around us. Like Bartimaus, let us seize the moment to do something great.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Thanks for your powerful insights Fr. Dave.
I hope that I can “see” Jesus along the road today and everyday. Once I can recognize Him, I can hope to further see what His plan is for me.
Have a beautiful day!
Well said!
Father Dave, What a beautiful way to live life,to seize the moment and do something great as we see Jesus passing by in our life!!!Dick and I went to see the movie “‘Woodlawn” centered on the transformation of a football team when Jesus entered their lives!!! They recognized Jesus in their life and their souls were transformed in love!!! Everyone should see this movie and they to will be transformed in love as Bartimaus was!! They will spiritually have a new vision!!! Thank you for your loving insights for us to follow our Jesus in our day for what a precious gift to see our Jesus passing by and with love respond!!! You are showing us the way!!!! A most beautiful way to live!!!
Love, Franca and Dick
Woodlawn sounds like a great film, Thanks for the review!
Amazing Grace how sweet the sound…I was blind and now I see. Sight is a blessing, and grace is even more fulfilling in our lives.. May the Lord give us the eyes to see how to follow him. Thank you for your insight.
You are most welcome!
There was a lot to think about in this scripture and your response.
1. Never give up. When there is a need we hear that voice that says you’ll never get it. Those voices of discouragement.
2. He kept pushing on no matter what he was determined to get to Jesus, we need to do that.
3. Your statement about throwing down his cloak. Yes when asking we need to put down our ideas on what we think we need and how we want Jesus to answer our prayers. I was thinking that at times we just want, especially in this country.
4. We are to be Christ feet here on earth. We need to purpose to be ready at all times. I was at the store yesterday and was leaving the store and saw this lady. Jst started talking to her, didn’t know her and asked her how things were. She just started talking about her husband having a stroke and his one side his paralized. She said that she normally doesn’t talk to people and didnt know why she was talking to me a stronger. All she needed was words of encouragement about how to deal with her husband and she was so grateful. It made her day.. Told her that I send out a prayer list to over 100 people and we will be praying for him and her. It was a seed planted. And I felt so honored to talk with her and share with her the things she was concerned about and encouraged her that the things she was doing was right on. I saw a different woman leave me and I give all the credit to the Lord.
Reason I share this is that we all who have Christ in our hearts and want to do his will have the opportunity to do so and it could be that person we are passing by and we can be His hands, feet, lips). It not only changes their lives but it changes my life and gives such a joy and God gets all the credit.
Am I getting to preachy… I miss going to those house that house Seniors and have to get it out somehow.. 🙂
You were the right person at the right time for this woman you met at the store. Well done!
I love your embellishments on the comments we send, Fr. Dave
The same Jesus who healed Bartimaeus walks the dusty streets of our lives every day.
He is reaching out to us in response to our need of Him.
We are on the move, with Him at our side, trusting that we will see Jesus
and follow His path to eternal life.
He is passing by every day. What a great way to start the day knowing that will happen!
Recently I lost the sight in my right eye and am losing it in the left also. I have never asked Jesus to restore my sight but to walk with me each day so I don’t stumble. Yes, I have read that we cannot encounter Jesus and come away unchanged and I’ve found that so in many of lifes happenings.
Please be assured that I will join you in your prayers to god for your sight.
Amen.
Amen!
Thank you for sharing the story of Bartimaus. It is beautiful how his blindness made him more perceptive of Jesus. I think Jesus gives special blessings to people with disabilities.
They are more joyous and less concerned about life’s complications.
I truly want to follow the example of Bartimaus and let Jesus completely in my life!!
That is the right idea!