Gospel for October 25, 2009, Sunday

Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc. | 10/25/2009 12:00 AM

30th Week in Ordinary Time

1st Reading: Jer 31:7–9
For Yahweh says this: Shout with joy for Jacob;
rejoice for the greatest of nations.
Proclaim your praise and say:
“Yahweh has saved his people,
the remnant of Israel!”
Look, I will bring them back from the land of the north, gather them from the ends of the earth, the lame and the blind, mothers and women in labor—a great throng will return.
They went away weeping,
they will return in joy.
I will lead them by the streams of water, on a level path so that no one will stumble,
for I am Israel’s father
and Ephraim is my firstborn.

2nd Reading: Heb 5:1–6
Every High Priest is taken from among mortals and appointed to be their representative before God to offer gifts and sacrifices for sin. He is able to understand the ignorant and erring for he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he is bound to offer sacrifices for his sins as well as for the sins of the people. Besides, one does not presume to take this dignity, but takes it only when called by God, as Aaron was.
Nor did Christ become High Priest in taking upon himself this dignity, but it was given to him by the One who says: You are my son, I have begotten you today. And in another place: You are a priest forever in the priestly order of Melchizedek.

Gospel: Mk 10:46–52
As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar, Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth passing by, he began to call out, “Son of David, Jesus, have mercy on me!” Many people scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he shouted all the louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man saying, “Take heart. Get up, he is calling you.” He immediately threw aside his cloak, jumped up and went to Jesus.
Then Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said, “Master, let me see again!” And Jesus said to him, “Go your way, your faith has made you well.” And immediately he could see, and he followed Jesus along the road.

Commentary
In the company of Jesus, Bartimaeus did not pretend to be someone he was not. He was a blind man who wanted to see, and this is exactly what he told the Lord.
The blind Bartimaeus offers an example of simple faith that is deserving of our attention. He persists in crying out for the Lord’s mercy even when told to be quiet. When asked, he tells the Lord exactly what he wants. So it should be with us.
We do not need to pretend that we are perfect. Jesus loves us in spite of our sinfulness. Nor should we try to hide our sinfulness from the Lord, for who could ever succeed in keeping anything hidden from the Lord who sees all things? Rather, when we take the occasion to make a good confession we approach Jesus as the Divine Physician and show him our wounds, even if they are in embarrassing locations. By presenting ourselves to the Lord in a contrite and humble manner we open ourselves up to His healing power and come to discover the greatness of His compassion and love.

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