The story of Bartimaeus has a familiar ring in the lives of many people today as it follows in the wake of storms, fires and other disasters of unheard proportions. Imagine what might have been his story. He once had a family, a job, a house, kids, the whole works. He was active at the local synagogue. He would tell his children stories of their ancestors. Then things started to change and his vision would become blurry. At first, he did not allow this to bother him but kept on working and living, but eventually the blurred vision got worse and worse so that he could barely see his wife and children. Then things went black and that’s the way they stayed.
He would lay his cloak on the ground so people could throw their loose change on the ground next to him. Most people avoided him altogether because in those days many people felt that blindness was caused by sinfulness either by the person or by their parents.
Despite all the hardships that he faced he still loved God. He recalled how God always came through in the end. Now Bartimaeus sat daily next to the road listening to the people passing by. The conversation lately had been about this guy named Jesus who had healed people, even blind people. Some had even said that he was the Messiah that had come to redeem Israel. Bartimaeus thought, “Wow, if only Jesus would come around here.”
Then one day there was a commotion. There were more people on the road than usual and then Bertimaeus heard the name, Jesus. Should he say something? Would Jesus come to him? Could he restore his vision? Something deep inside said “Yes, call out his name.” But the crowd around him tried to silence him. Yet Bartimaeus persisted, calling out more loudly and with greater urgency. Notice how quickly the crowd’s reaction changed when Jesus called for Bartimaeus. Those who sought to quiet him now encouraged him.
Bartimaeus recognized power and authority when he sensed it. We do the same thing. If we had a broken leg we wouldn’t go to AutoZone to have it fixed. If the doctor comes into the examination room in overalls, we might have a few questions, but if he wears a white coat, with a stethoscope and a pocket protector, we generally don’t immediately ask for credentials or references. Bartimaeus recognized Jesus’ authority. Jesus didn’t wear a uniform, and even if he did, Bartimaeus was blind and he couldn’t see him anyway. He’d heard stories, and he’d heard false rumors, fake news. This recognition of Jesus as a man of authority came from a place deep within him. We experience that same recognition of Jesus. We have never seen Him. We’ve seen artistic renditions of Jesus but our recognition originates from a different sense than sight. It comes from a spiritual sense. It comes before anything. It is grace that allowed us to have that first moment with God, when God was not just a figure in CCD or Faith Formation classes or in the Bible. God became personal, a friend.
When Bartimaeus recognized Jesus, he still had a choice to make; act on that recognition or let it pass by. Bartimaeus cries out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” He addressed Jesus by name and by title, Son of David, the messianic title reserved for the redeemer of Israel. We cry out as well when we get to the last point, the straw that breaks the camel’s back. We cry, “Help me, Jesus.” “Have mercy, Jesus” Or simply, “Jesus” “Gott im Himmel.” “Mi Dios!” We realize that only God can help us in whatever situation we are in. God’s grace not only gives us the ability to perceive God’s power and love. It also gives us the strength to respond to it. Unlike Bartimaeus however, we are not limited to a once in a lifetime response. We must continually respond to the gift of grace and power in our lives.
What is Jesus’ response to Bartimaeus? “Go; your faith has made you well.” It is interesting to see that Jesus says that it is Bartimaeus’ faith that produced his healing not Jesus’ faith that made him well. Bartimaeus’ faith, and ours too, is not born out of nothing, nor does it come out of thin air. It is a response to the love and grace of God. It was Bartimaeus’ response to God’s initial contact through grace that made him well – restored his sight. Our response to the power or grace is also a restoration and a reconnection. We might not be physically blind but spiritually we may be walking around aimlessly. Our spiritual vision may be black as night, but God still initiates the reconnection through grace and gives us the freedom to respond or reject His gift.
That’s the end of the story, right? Not quite. What does Bartimaeus do once his sight has been restored? Immediately he follows Jesus on the way. It is not the end, but the beginning of a journey. We don’t receive the fire of the Holy Spirit, the connection with God, only to sit it in the corner or in the closet, or even the chapel. We can’t isolate ourselves in a cozy niche. We are impelled to take up the invitation and follow Jesus on the way. The question facing us is: Am I going to do for God today or for myself? Am I going to spend today in connection and in conversation with God and God’s people or am I going to satisfy my own selfish wants and desires? Our blind eyes opened, we have a unique opportunity to spread God’s love in the world. Lord, we pray: open our eyes and strengthen us to following your prompting to be an expression of your compassion and mercy in our world today.
~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB
Reminder: next weekend the time changes “fall back one hour”.
Have a good week and pray fervently for an optimal election outcome.
