Saving Faith
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jeremiah 31:7–9 / Psalm 126:3 / Hebrews 5:1–6 / Mark 10:46–52
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Reflecting on the Word
By Rev. James A. Wallace, C.Ss.R.
A saving faith is one that knows it needs a savior. Bartimaeus must have been told that Jesus was going by, so he begins to cry out, a true cry from the heart: “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” The crowd rebukes him at first. Why are they telling him to be silent? Do they want him to save face, preserve his dignity? Or does he embarrass them, annoy them?
Bartimaeus is not interested in saving face, his or theirs. He has a saving faith that keeps him shouting. Though blind, he sees what he has to do to get a response from Jesus. An unambiguous cry for mercy, along with a special name, “Jesus, son of David.” It carries his prayer right into Jesus’ heart. He stops and calls the blind man over. The crowd now encourages Bartimaeus: “Take courage. Get up, Jesus is calling you.” A saving faith trumps saving face.
Then, in a gesture that speaks Bartimaeus’ faith as much as his words, he throws aside his cloak. This cloak is his greatest possession; he sits on it, begging all day, and wraps himself in it to sleep at night. He now leaves it and his past behind, going to Jesus.
“What do you want me to do?” Jesus asks. “Master, I want to see,” he says, already acknowledging himself a disciple of the “Master.” Jesus speaks: “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Then, Mark’s perfect ending: “Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.”
Consider/Discuss
- What does your faith allow you to see?
- What do you still need to see in order to “follow Jesus on the way”?
Responding to the Word
Lord Jesus, you heard the cry of a blind man and answered his plea, giving him a new life with you. In our blindness, we sometimes fail to remember how near you always are. Remove any obstacles that prevent us from calling out, trusting in your mercy and love.