A Reflection on Jesus and the Blind Bartimaeus
Mk 10: 46-52
“Master…I want to see…”
This is the cry of the blind man, Bartimaeus, as Jesus
passes by on his way from Jericho to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem. Everyone keeps telling him to be quiet, but
he won’t be quiet. He wants desperately for Jesus to notice him. He wants
desperately to see…and he knows Jesus can heal him of his affliction. Jesus rebukes those who are trying to silence
the blind man and asks what it is Bartimaeus wants of him. Bartimaues replies:
“Master, I want to see.”
In the passage, we are told that Jesus says: “Go on your
way. Your faith has “saved” you.” “Saved”, not healed. While
Bartimeaus does receive his physical sight, the impression is that, because of
his faith, he may also have been granted spiritual (in)sight. He already believes the Divine Master is the
Messiah (He calls Him the Son of David).
When he is healed, he follows Jesus. Maybe now he “sees” even more
clearly Who Jesus really is and he see no other course of action. Where else
would he go? What else would he do?
In reading this passage, and in listening to it at Mass this
morning, I wondered: How many times have
I been blind and asked for help? God has undoubtedly helped me to see more
times than I can imagine, but what about those times that it seems like he says
no and I remain floundering in the dark or in the shadows of half-known and
half-understood situations? The reason for
this could be that God thinks I will benefit from remaining unable to see clearly
for a time, or it could be that I do not ask with the unconditional faith of
Bartimeaus. He is willing to do whatever it takes to be
healed.
I cannot always say the same.
I may pray earnestly, and may even be able to brave ridicule
and hostility to ask for what I want. The
obstacle may not be there, but in my own fear.
If I am able to see, if the Divine Master returns my sight, I will have
no excuses. I will have to act upon what I now am able to know and
understand. I can no longer claim
ignorance. That can be frightening—and challenging. What will I have to change, now that I can
see? What will I have to give up?
Jesus, my Divine Master, please grant me the great gift of
the courage and faith of Bartimaeus, that I may knock, and seek, and ask,
without fear, and then grant me the courage, love and gratitude to follow you
without hesitation.
You ask me what I want.
Jesus, my Divine Master, I want to follow You always and everywhere but
in order to do this, I need to see.
Master…I want to see…
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