Readings: Jeremiah 31:7-9; Psalm 126; Hebrews 5:1-6; Mark 10:46-52
I have to admit that I have not had much interaction with blind people in my life. Recently, however, I have had a bit more interaction because of Michael. Our eldest son, Charles, is training with the US Paralympics team for the 2020 Olympics to be held in Japan. He and his teammate, Michael, are competing in the tandem bicycle race. Michael, an Army veteran was blinded by a gunshot. Understanding a little better the challenges he faces due to his blindness has helped me to be a little more empathetic when it comes to people without sight.
Perhaps the people following Jesus were callus towards Bartimaeus and his request for assistance because they did not understand his plight. As today, beggars were as common on the streets in biblical times. In the pursuit of our own agenda it is easy to dismiss the beggars in our path. We can reason that these beggars are doing OK and like Bartimaeus, they are making their way in the world and therefore they should not intrude on our time or pursuits. But, perhaps Bartimaeus was not satisfied with the status quo, perhaps he was like Michael, and perhaps he wanted more from life than the severe limitations that blindness imposes on people without sight. He knew that if Jesus could heal him there would be many more opportunities in his life.
Bartimaeus’ request for mercy may be likened to special accommodations that can be extended to people with disabilities. They don’t want a ‘hand out,’ but a ‘hand up,’ would be greatly appreciated. They want to become independent, not dependent on others – a valuable member of society, not a burden. In the end, helping persons with disabilities adapt and to become more independent benefits everyone in society, and we all become a more connected and kinder society. If we are honest, everyone has some personal limitations (large and small) and the more we are disposed to seeking and receiving assistance the more compassionate we all become. If you wonder why I believe we all suffer from disabilities, here is one possibility…
Remember those folks following Jesus and how they rebuked Bartimaeus? I would say that they were suffering from the blindness of another sort. They were blind to the plight of Bartimaeus and too selfish to share their time with Jesus. Here is a man who wanted to end his life of dependence and begging so that he could reenter society and make his own way in the world. He humbled himself and asked for mercy from a perfect stranger. He exercised courage and did not allow the crowd to stand in his way. And, when called by Jesus, he let go of the past to embrace the future. Once he received the assistance he asked for he committed to following a new way of promise and possibility. How many of us are ready to admit our own shortcomings with humility? How many of us are ready to exercise the courage needed to challenge the crowd and act for justice? Can we let go of our failed past and embrace the future promised by Jesus to build a kingdom of love and justice? Can we pick up our cross and follow Jesus on the way?
The answers to all these questions depend on the depth of faith we are ready to embrace. When Jesus was asked for healing by people he would often say, “Go your way; your faith has healed you.” Or he would ask them to perform some small task (like washing or paying the Temple tax) that would demonstrate that they believed. Now ask yourself if there is something from which you want to be healed. Do you have a blind spot? Do you have an addiction? Are you possessed by greed? Will you say, right now, at this moment, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” Can you leave your past behind? Will you have the courage to oppose the crowd and to follow Jesus and work for a more just and loving society? Can you let go of your past and embrace the future with Jesus on the way? Only your actions will tell whether or not you are ready. If you don’t feel ready, do not despair. Pray for the grace, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” By the way, Michael and Charles just took first place in a race, but it took both of them to compete.
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