Mark 10:46-52 NRSVue
46They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. 47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” 50So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” 52Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
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Reflection on Mark 10:46-52
Inspiration from 2024-10-27 Daily Prayer
A named, blind beggar on the side of the road had the faith to ask Jesus, Son of David, to have mercy on him. May we have that faith to recognise Jesus for who he is and the humility to ask him for what we need.
Jesus responded to Bartimaeus’s plea and invited him to go, for his faith had made him well. Bartimaeus chose not to go, but to follow Jesus. Lord, may healing lead us to a closer following of you.
Further reflection
Lord, I sometimes open my eyes in the morning, and do not notice the sunshine, the green of trees, the colours in my room, the warmth or sorrow in the faces around me. If I had been blind, like Bartimaeus in today's gospel, I would long to open my eyes and see all that is to be seen. I could not have enough of this light-filled world around me.
Give me a relish, Lord, for all that my eyes can take in: not the pre-selected shots of the TV screen, but the endlessly varied landscape and peoplescape that surrounds me. I pray with Bartimaeus: /Master, let me receive my sight/.
Without his cloak the blind man could be even more lost - he would lose protection from the elements. It was one of his most essential possessions. In going to Jesus, he let it go. In prayer there is much letting-go. We hand over disappointments, hurts and grief as best we can. We hand them over to the one who loves us and gives much more in return.
Bartimaeus was an irritation to the crowd; they asked him to keep quiet, they were embarrassed by the attention he was drawing. Might there be some part of me that I prefer to keep silent? I lead all my needs be given expression as I am here in prayer.
The fickle crowd encouraged Bartimaeus once they heard Jesus call him forward. I pray for the courage I need to recognise what is important to Jesus and to bring it to life.