Gospel for October 27 2024 – Mark 10:46-52
Gospel Reflections for October 27 2024
On the move!
With all that you have going on, now there is now the World Series and the election too!
We live in a faced paced world. Maybe your days are filled with driving here and there; off to work, or stores, or school, and then home again, and doing a million tasks every day. Life moves fast!
What a contrast to the poor blind man, Bartimaeus, in today’s Gospel. He is sitting by himself on the side of a busy road where people are moving quickly back and forth. But his own life is 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. Bartimaeus is a man of great courage, and that courage is exactly what Jesus recognizes and honors …and so Our Lord calls him forward.
While the crowd dismisses Bartimaeus as a pest, Jesus honors him with a simple question, “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus gives him the chance to speak for himself and Bartimaeus simply asks. “Lord, I want to see!”
In those days, a blind person who cannot see “outward” was considered to have “in-sight” and could “see” deeper realities better than others. Bartimaeus accurately sees that Jesus is the one who can change his life. That is why he 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.
He leaves his familiar place beside the road and moves along the road with the disciples and Our Lord. He changes his life that was going nowhere to one that is now 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. The change in Bartimaeus is the actual sign that his meeting was real. Bartimaus sees what he should do with his life. He follows Jesus!
Jesus is still passing by your life in many moments throughout the day, as busy as you are. Now you can stand up like Bartimaeus, throw off your concerns, follow Jesus, and give of yourself to those around you.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Hi Fr. Dave: Thanks for your always insightful commentary. All the best, Argyle
Thank you for your kind words. from one fisherman to another!
The Blind Man has courage to keep calling out for assistance with his malady. Jesus is willing to assist and does in dramatic fashion. The story comes down to us still as vital and important as it was then many years ago. We fail at times to realize He is here today to help with our maladies if we call and keep him in mind and thought.
He left us his Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist at Mass. that is a good place to remember to tell him what is. Disturbing us in our lives.
Thanks for these r3minders Father Dave. Have a Happy World Series and an even Better Eternal Happiness.
Yes, Jesus is always here for us, and we do not even need to shout!
Love our precious Jesus passing by us each day and we are to give of ourselves to others!!! A life lived in loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it!! it s a precious miracle to live our Jesus’ love each day by helping others in one little way, a smile of kindness, a word of love to someone who is hurting, encouragement to someone who is sad,,praising someone who needs uplifting,!!! Love receiving our precious Jesus in Holy Communion for I know his loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee lives in me and all others who receive Him and we must share His love with others!!! Love our precious Jesus, our beautiful Blessed Mother, our loving God and loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeee you our Father Dave for beautifully giving Jesus to us!!! I think you will love this!! I’m still after 14 years of wrting my precious book, ” Mary A Woman In Love, The Precious Apparitions of our Blessed Mother, At loving momentsI give my book to Catholic uber driver, workers in store,s,precious new friends, prayer groups etc. Love touching them with our Blessed Mother’s Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeee and you are a beautiful part of it with your beautiful introduction in my book!!! Loveeeeeee it!!! Have abeautiful day!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, franca
Thank you!
I really liked your reflections this week Father:
“You cannot meet Jesus and stay the same person”
This says it all!! I pray everyone takes advantage of this gift.
I am glad you liked the article. I think this phrase is so simple and yet so profound. You cannot meet Jesus and stay the same.
Dear Father Dave,
Thank you for this week’s excellent reflection.
We are often blind to things even though we have the gift of sight. When that happens, there is usually a level of deniability, and then (with God’s help) we awaken to visions of reality that can be disappointing or uplifting.
Ultimately, these lessons of life form us or mold us into who God wishes us to be.
God bless you!
Kathleen
Well said!