By Fr Francis Gonsalves, SJ –
30th Sunday of the Year – Cycle B – 24 October 2018 …… World Mission Sunday
Readings: Jer 31:7-9; Heb 5:1-6; Mk 10:46-52
“My teacher, let me see again!” (Mk 10:51)
Homily Hints: We have begun ‘journeying together’ at the pre-synod diocesan phase. The past
two Sundays we reflected upon: (i) the failure of the rich young man to follow Jesus since he
was weighed down by wealth [Mk 10:17-30]; and (ii) the short-sightedness of James and John
who wanted Jesus to give them seats at his right and left hand in his glory [Mk 10:35-45].
Today, we learn from three ‘actors’: Jesus, blind Bartimaeus and the crowd in Mk 10:46-52.
Three ‘Actors’ Journeying Together:
1. Jesus and Encounter: The gospel scene is typical of the ‘journeying together’ that we
are reflecting upon during this diocesan pre-synodal phase. The gospel passage contains
what the ‘Preparatory Document’ (PD nos. 16-21) calls a “‘community scene’ that
constantly accompanies the journey of evangelization”: with the presence of Jesus, the
crowd, the apostles. Jesus pays special attention to those ‘abandoned by the community’
(PD n.17). Jesus is eager to encounter Bartimaeus, an abandoned one. For, on the one
hand, blind Bartimaeus seems abandoned not only by the community since he is a
“beggar” who sits “by the roadside” (v.46), but, on the other hand, he is also apparently
abandoned by God since blindness in Jesus’ times was considered a curse by God (see
Jn 9:1-3). Despite the fact that: “Many sternly ordered him to be quiet” (v.48) and
wanted Jesus to pass by Bartimaeus without doing anything, “Jesus stood still and said,
‘Call him here’.” (v.49). At the end of the episode after healing him, Jesus says to
Bartimaeus, “Go! your faith has made you well.” (v.52). Jesus is always ready to
encounter people, listen to them, reach out to them, help them to discern and freely take
decisions leading to a fuller life. He also sends everyone out on mission: “GO forth!”
- The Crowd that Silences and Sometimes Supports: The crowd normally does not have
a fixed focus. They can be swayed in any direction. It would make little difference to
them whether Bartimaeus was blind or could see like anyone else. Since he is crying
out for help, they consider Bartimaeus’s cries as a hindrance to their journeying
smoothly along the road. Nonetheless, after sensing Jesus’ desire to reach out to the
blind beggar, “they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take heart; get up, he is calling
you’.” (v.49). In doing this, they become instruments or channels that support and lead
the abandoned ones to experiencing healing and wholeness. Their help, too, is
indispensable in this narrative. -
Bartimaeus’s Discernment, Decision and Mission: Bartimaeus can give us many
insights during our synodal ‘journeying together’. First, we are told that he is a “blind
beggar … sitting by the roadside” in Jericho. There were many beggars in Jericho and
so that is commonplace. But, secondly, Bartimaeus has deep faith and ‘insight’ that
Jesus of Nazareth can heal his physical blindness. So, thirdly, “he began to shout out,
“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (v.47). This is so-called ‘parrhesia’—the
3rd thematic nucleus that the synod’s Vademecum [5.3.3] and the PD mention—that
evokes response. When many told him to be silent, “he cried out even more loudly,
‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’” (v.48). Fourth, his eagerness for healing is
apparent as he “throws off his cloak” and “jumps up” to meet Jesus (v.50). Fifth, his
plea for healing is simple and sweet, “Rabbuni, Master, let me see again!” Finally
comes the climax, namely, Bartimaeus “followed Jesus along the road.” Unlike the rich
young man mad after money, and unlike the disciples preoccupied with positions of
power, whom we reflected upon the past two Sundays, Bartimaeus shows us what deep
faith, discipleship and mission is all about.
Like Bartimaeus who follows Jesus, you and I, too, are called to be ‘missionary disciples’. The
Theme for Pope Francis’ Message for World Mission Day 2021 is: “We cannot but speak
about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). The full text of the message is accessible at:
Message for World Mission Day 2021 | Francis (vatican.va). Our experience must impel us to be and to bear good news to others. Pope Francis says that this: “is a summons to each of us to ‘own’
and to bring to others what we bear in our hearts. This mission has always been the hallmark
of the Church, for she exists to evangelize.”
Two Insights from the First and Second Readings:
The tone of the Book of Jeremiah is usually one of darkness and destruction in the context of
the sins of the people, the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile to Babylon. However, in the
midst of pessimism and hopelessness, there is a wellspring of hope in the ‘Book of Comfort’—
which has three chapters, 30-33, at the centre of the book—that breathe promise and hope.
Today’s first reading from chapter 31 is specifically addressed to ‘the remnant of Israel’ who
are also known as the anawim or what we call “the abandoned”: the least of Christ’s sisters and
brothers. God will bring about a restoration and lead “a great company” back, which will
include “the blind and the lame”. Blindness is not just a corporal category indicating inability
to see, but is also a symbolic-spiritual state of the blindness of “foolish and senseless people”
described in Jeremiah, chapter 5:21 – “who have eyes, but do not see, who have ears, but do
not hear.” This theme can be developed in the “journeying together” of our synod.
The Letter to the Hebrews speaks about the priesthood of Jesus whose life was one of sacrifice
and solidarity sinners. With his compassion and solidarity with God’s little ones, he restores
sight to the blind (physical healings) as well as reaffirms us in our faith (spiritual sustenance).
Jesus is ‘the way’ to God and gives us the Spirit to journey together with us along our way.
For Our Prayer: The prayer of Bartimaeus is expressed in the Christian classic ‘The Way of
the Pilgrim’, with the pilgrim repeating the invocation, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on
me!” ceaselessly. Everyone, anytime and anywhere can repeat this simple plea, mantra-like.
Point to Ponder: Bartimaeus challenges me: How deep is my faith? Am I not often blinder
than Bartimaeus ever was? Don’t I often adopt a ‘seeing is believing’ attitude in life rather than
a ‘believing is seeing’ disposition to see God present in all of creation? We can indeed sing the
psalm of today: “What marvels the Lord has worked for us! Indeed, we are glad!” (Ps 126).
A Tale to Tell: One dark night, when the city lights went off, an elderly couple lost their way
and couldn’t get back home amidst the darkness. Seeking help, they saw a man with a stick
walking towards them. “Sir,” they cried, ‘Can you help us find our way home?” The man said,
“Sure!” and asked them where they lived. He then reached them to their house. Grateful, the
couple asked, “How come you can see so clearly despite this deep darkness?” The man was
silent awhile. He then replied, “I’m blind; so, I’m used to reaching places even in the darkness!”
Fr. Francis Gonsalves, SJ is the Executive Secretary, CCBI Comm. of Theology & Doctrine and President, Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune and former Principal of Vidyajyoti College, Delhi. He is also the Executive Secretary of the CCBI Commission for Theology and Doctrine. He has authored many books and articles and is a columnist with The Asian Age and The Deccan Chronicle national dailies.