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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Some thoughts on this scripture
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.
Reflection
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/.
Reflection
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.
Reflection
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.
Reflection
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.
Reflection
I listen to Jesus speak to me as he spoke to Bartimaeus. He asks, ‘What do
you want me to do for you?'