Scripture Study for

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Understanding the Word

By Br. John R. Barker, OFM

The first part of the book of Jeremiah focuses on the impending  judgment on Judah and Jerusalem for their persistent, serious  violations of the covenant relationship with God. Despite opposition  from others who claim to speak for God, Jeremiah is proved right  when Babylon destroys the city and exiles many of the people to  “the land of the north.” Yet the prophet insists that judgment is  not the final word. In a classic oracle of salvation, the people are  told to exult in their future redemption and return to the Promised  Land. The blind and the lame—the weakest of the remnant—will be  brought back, too. The final verse emphasizes God’s enduring love  for Israel, God’s “first-born” child. Not even years of infidelity can  erase this primary relationship between God and Israel. 

The author of Hebrews continues to develop the theme of Jesus  as the eternal High Priest. In the past, a mere human represented  all of Israel before God in cultic worship, offering—among other  things—sacrifices for sin. Being sinful himself, the high priest was  not separate from the rest of Israel, but a part of them and also in  need of forgiveness. According to divine law, high priests had to be  from the line of Aaron; no one could arrogate to himself this role.  In the same way, Christ did not take upon himself the role of eternal  High Priest, but was chosen by God, who acknowledged him as Son  and Priest.

Jesus and his disciples are on the way to Jerusalem. Bartimaeus’s  cry, addressing Jesus as “son of David,” indicates that he believes  Jesus to be the Davidic Messiah whom God would send to reestablish  God’s reign. It’s not clear why the others tell him to be silent, but  this does to deter him, another sign of his faith. In his affirmation  of Jesus’ identity as Messiah, in his persistence in seeking healing,  and in his immediate and enthusiastic response to Jesus when he is  called, the blind man shows all the hallmarks of a good disciple, and  thus is open to the salvation that Jesus offers. 

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