“Master, I want to see.”
In today’s Gospel, Bartimaeus calls to the “Son of David,” by doing so he recognizes Jesus as a prophet and wonderworker. Although others try to silence him, his plea becomes all the louder. Finally he gets Jesus’ attention and is brought before the Master. “What do you want me to do for you?” Our Lord asks. Bartimaeus’ request is simple he wants to see.
The blind man’s longing for vision, or for the light that will shatter the darkness he lives in, was a longing for something more basic, a longing for the right path, the path a blind person cannot see. It is the path to God that one must be able to see in all its’ stages and directions, before he can embark upon it. His longing for the light is part of the reason Jesus heals him and this healing in turn allows Bartimaeus to follow Jesus. Although the Lord tells him to go his way the beggar instead chooses to follow the Lord.
With the healing of the blind beggar, one who was cut off from the light can now see clearly enough to find his way home.
Bartimaeus speaks for us all. As long as we live in darkness and fear, we are unable to follow the Lord. Let us pray for the vision to see the truth in God’s teachings and the grace to follow where He leads. Let us pray that we may all find our way home.
Pax Vobiscum
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time