A Persistent Plea

As he [Jesus] 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!” (Mark 10: 46-48)

St. Mark tells us the powerful story of Bartimaeus, a blind man who spent his days sitting by the side of a dusty road, begging. That day, he could hear the noisy crowd approaching. When he found out that Jesus was nearby, he cried out, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me” (Mark10:47). The crowd tried to silence him, because the popular wisdom of that time was that his disability was a punishment for sin inflicted by a just God. But that didn’t stop Bartimaeus. He cried out again, “Son of David, have mercy on me” (Mark 10: 48). You have to admire his persistence. When Jesus called him closer, the blind man wasted no time. He ran to Jesus and expressed the desire of his heart, “Master, I want to see” (Mark 10:51). And Jesus honored his faith by restoring his sight. Bartimaeus was healed because his faith was not deterred by popular opinion or by the rebuke of the crowd.

As Christians in the 21st century, we find that sincere expressions of faith are often misunderstood, openly criticized, and mocked. Like Bartimaeus, we hear the rebuke of the crowd. In my local parish, I find something very different. There persistence is encouraged, and mercy replaces judgment. There I am constantly reminded that Jesus is nearby, just as He was on that day long ago in Jericho, ready to listen and heal. At Mass I hear the same soothing words that Bartimaeus heard, “Take courage…he is calling you” (Mark 10: 49). I attend daily Mass, missions, and retreats still whispering the 2000-year-old prayer of a blind beggar, “Master, I want to see” (Mark 10:51). And I find that I am not alone. Our church is full of seekers and followers. Popular opinion is not an issue here. The only opinion that matters is God’s. And the promise He offers us is the same one He gave to Bartimaeus, “Go; your faith has made you well” (Mark 10:52).