30 Sunday OT B: The Difference Christ makes
Dear Brothers and Sisters: To start our reflection, we can point out three things that stand out about Bartimaeus and then draw lessons from his encounter with Jesus. First - Jesus healed many people. Very often, we are not given the names of those healed by Jesus. Today, we are given not only the name of the blind beggar healed by Jesus but also his father’s name. The blind beggar’s name is Bartimaeus. His father’s name was Timaeus which means “honorable.” Bartimaeus could mean “honorable son” or “son of the honorable.”
Second - The attitude of Bartimaeus is different from the attitudes of some of the people in the crowd surrounding Jesus. Many are after tricking Jesus so that they can catch him on something and then accuse him. They are hostile. On the other hand, although Bartimaeus was physically blind, he recognized who Jesus was. He calls Jesus “son of David,” and recognizes Jesus’ power to heal. So, on the outside Bartimaeus is blind but spiritually he sees. The opposite is the case for Jesus’ adversaries.
Third – Bartimaeus is unafraid and persists in inviting Jesus into his situation, despite discouraging remarks. He is not discouraged in his crying out to Jesus. The persistence of his faith in Jesus makes great things happen to him.
The difference in Bartimaeus’ life before and after encountering Jesus is like the difference between night and day. Before encountering Jesus, Bartimaeus was blind. After encountering Jesus, he sees. Before encountering Jesus, Bartimaeus was stuck, after encountering Jesus, he follows him on the way. He knows how to go forward.
Inviting Jesus into his situation is a turning point in the life of Bartimaeus. There is a lesson for all of us in this. We learn from Bartimaeus that inviting Jesus into our lives and our issues/situations makes a difference. That difference is like night and day, it is going from not seeing to seeing.
Thus, ask yourself: Where do you feel stuck? Where do you find yourself at a crossroads? This is where you need to have courage and persistence like Bartimaeus. Call in Jesus. Invite Jesus to your job, your home, your marriage, your studies, your homework, and exercise with him.
Today, some of our children are going to receive sacraments of Christian initiation: Baptism, and First Holy Communion. Each of these sacraments is a turning point in the lives of these children. It is a way of uniting them with Jesus as they go along their life’s journeys.
I thank the parents for preparing their children for this moment. I would like to emphasize that what you have been doing in teaching them the faith is not just giving these children information but putting them on the path to a new richer relationship with God and with us. Their lives are going to be more bound to God and our church family through the sacraments. Invite Jesus on their behalf into their lives. Pray for the children to allow Jesus to take control and transform their lives so that they may see the wonders of God. Amen.