Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Points for reflection:

a) Jesus was passing through Jericho, as a Pilgrim, on his way to Jerusalem for the Passover. He had just announced for the third time his Passion (Mk.10,32-34). There were plenty people going to Jerusalem. Jesus walked and taught, as the Rabbis used to do.

b) According to the Law it was compulsory for every male Jew, over 12 years, to go to Jerusalem for the Passover, but many could not. They remained at home sitting on the sides of the road greeting-thanking-assisting-asking prayers from the Pilgrims who were passing…

c) Bartimaeus (it is not a name, it means only ‘son of Timaeus’, ), a blind beggar without name, was on the side of the road. He heard the rumour (the trampling of feet) of plenty people walking in silence, with only one person talking.

d) Informed that it was Jesus passing, Bartimaeus started shouting in a bad and desperate manner (like in a stadium)… It was an offence to the listeners of Jesus but he didn’t give up. He was cursed by some listeners: ‘you sinner, shut up!’… But Bartimaeus wanted to meet Jesus… to see (= ‘to believe’)… His was not a sentimental wish, but a desperate desire…

e) He knew what he wanted… He reflected so many times on his own condition (self-examination). He was so sorry for his own state… He shouted at Jesus, calling him by name (in the Gospel only Bartimaeus and the devils called Jesus by name. The word ‘Jesus’  means ‘Saviour’,  ‘One who can save’). He addressed Jesus as ‘Son of David’.

f) Bartimaeus had an inadequate knowledge of Jesus. ‘Son of David’ was the title for the expected Jewish Messiah, a kind of powerful warrior, and a military conqueror. Jesus was the Messiah, but another kind of Messiah: humble, merciful, peaceful.

g) Bartimaeus showed a prompt and immediate response to Jesus’ invitation… He didn’t want to miss the chance… ‘He threw off his coat’ (His coat was his security, his protection. In it there was all  his past life). He was ready to risk on the Word of Jesus…

h) Bartimaeus had a confused knowledge of Jesus but a great faith in him… He showed his faith by using his ears to listen, his mouth to shout and his feet to run to Jesus, his hand to throw away the coat and his eyes to see him… Why did he have such a deep faith?… He was aware and ashamed of his miserable state…

i) He was not born blind: in fact he said: ‘I want to see again’ (‘like I was seeing before’). He was ashamed of his state, but not ashamed to beg: ‘Take pity on me!’… And because of his faith he received not one but two miracles, the ‘Sight’ and  the ‘Salvation’: “Your faith has saved you”… Bartimaeus was able to meet ‘Jesus the Saviour’.

j) “Salvation is to be found in Jesus alone” (Acts 4,12). Faith means salvation; salvation means to see Jesus, to understand Jesus and, as a consequence, ‘to follow Jesus’.  Bartimaeus, the beggar, was a man of gratitude: he became Missionary of Jesus  “thanking and praising him”.

k) Jesus is asking each one of us: “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimeus, the blind beggar teaches us : not to be ashamed to look at ourselves, at our need of salvation,  not to be ashamed to beg Jesus, the Saviour: He can cure and save us, He can give us the zeal of a missionary believer…