Mercy > Misery

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflecting on the Word

By Dr. Karla J. Bellinger

It was hard to be the wife of a blind man. The women mocked  me. But they were invisible to their sighted husbands, who were  rough with them. Bartimaeus’ touch grew gentler as the darkness  descended upon his eyes. As the old mothers say, do not weep for  me, weep for yourselves. I am blessed. 

Early that day, I guided him to his spot. He liked to find his place  before the day began; crowds were hard to navigate. But without  sight, his other senses were strong. He was alert to tone of voice,  attentive to movement. He could taste goodness, he could smell lies.  He was as brilliant as his honored father Timaeus, but even more  perceptive. But he was just another blind man to most. I helped him  sit. His lips began again to pray the psalms of David. 

I turned to go back to the children. He touched my forearm,  “Wait!” He sensed something coming. “Wait!” He trembled with  excitement. 

The crowd drew near. He shouted out, “Son of David, have pity  on me!” His voice echoed above the somber crowd. “Hush,” they  told him. “Hush!” I told him. He would not stop shouting. 

I did not hear the words spoken, but suddenly the crowd parted  as though to open the banks of a river. 

Bartimaeus later told me that he sensed love rushing toward him,  like spring waters flooding into the empty rivers of the southern desert. He tossed me his cloak and rushed off. I didn’t see what happened. The crowds passed. Bartimaeus stood alone on the road facing  away from me. I crept near. He sensed me. He turned. His eyes  peered into my eyes for the first time in fifteen years. He caressed my  cheek. “I always knew that you were still beautiful,” he whispered. Then he ran after the crowd, shouting to all, “Come! Meet Jesus!  Your life will never be the same!” 

I am so very blessed.

Consider/Discuss 

  • Jesus’ tender mercy floods in upon our misery. Yet we may not see it. The  literal Greek words of Bartimaeus’s request are “That I might recover  my sight.” Have we at one time “seen” that flood of mercy? Have we  forgotten? Gone blind? Taken it for granted? Share a story of a time when  you once experienced mercy. 
  • Bartimaeus was thrilled to be set free from his blindness. That same  jubilation is expressed in today’s reading from Jeremiah. The Jews are  delivered from bondage, set free from captivity. What one little thing might  the Holy Spirit inspire you to do today that will set someone free, that will  lessen someone’s misery through your act of mercy? 

Living and Praying with the Word 

Lord, we do not always see your compassion, especially when  we are weighed down with troubles. On this autumn day, reveal to  us your presence in everyday life. Flow upon us like a river in the  desert, calling out, “Look, here I am!” Open our eyes. Make our  touch tender and our words reverent, especially for those close to us.  Jesus, have mercy on us and help us to be merciful like you.

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