Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint 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.
Get up! Jesus is calling you
1) On the way. Jesus is a traveler; he does not remain in one place for long. He goes to Jericho, a place where people are believers, but they are difficult and closed. Today, there are many difficult, closed believers and we must walk towards them, be with them, announcing the love of God and that there is eternal life. You and I have to be pilgrims on the move, we cannot be static people, we must go forth and take the Gospel to others. We can’t stop because there are people who need us.
2) The blind man. We see a man excluded from society, estranged, even distanced from God. They don’t let him call out to Jesus. Today there are many Bartimaeus who, apart from not being able to see, are excluded. Think how many times we say things like: “Look who came to church!” or “Who does he think he is?” or “Hmm, is this one trying to act like he’s a good guy”? How many of us distance others from God, even when they’re seeking him? Don’t exclude others, don’t give up on them; there are brothers and sisters who need help by the side of the road because they don’t find meaning in life.
3) Arise. Today Jesus wants to work in you, that you may see! May you understand life and keep going. May your faith be that encouragement to keep on striving and going ahead in spite of everything. Don’t be afraid to keep going and to struggle on in life because Jesus wants you to get up and have courage even when we you feel beaten and tired. Don’t give up! You must look ahead and keep walking along with Jesus. Remember something good is on the way.
God bless you and be with you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
