Last Sunday after Trinity
“Then 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.”
Overview
Do we know what we want?
For several weeks we have heard Jesus asking those who come to him what they want: the rich young ruler wants eternal life, James and John want glory and honour. Today (in Mark 10:46-52) it is blind Bartimaeus’ turn and he wants mercy. He wants it so badly that he is prepared to throw away his cloak, his only possession, to get it. Where the rich young ruler and the earnest disciples hold on to what they have, Bartimaeus let’s go.
Our Old Testament reading (Jeremiah 31:7-9) looks forward to a time when the kingdom of God, a reign of justice and peace, is restored by putting those who have nothing (the lame and the blind, the women and children), those who are on the margins, in the centre. When their needs are met, the whole community flourishes.
In the well-off West we are often blind to what it is that we really need and to what is required of us if we are to receive it.
As we approach COP26 we may also need our eyes opening to what it we must let go of if we are to receive what we need: a world in which resources and responsibilities are shared.
Readings
FIRST READING
Jeremiah 31:7-9
For thus says the Lord:
Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,
and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;
proclaim, give praise, and say,
“Save, O Lord, your people,
the remnant of Israel.”
See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,
and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,
among them the blind and the lame,
those with child and those in labor, together;
a great company, they shall return here.
With weeping they shall come,
and with consolations I will lead them back,
I will let them walk by brooks of water,
in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;
for I have become a father to Israel,
and Ephraim is my firstborn.
GOSPEL
Mark 10:46-52
They 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. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then 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.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
