From the responsorial psalm: “Then they said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.’ The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad indeed. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mk 10:46-52)
But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.
As Bartimaeus persists in calling out to Jesus, something inside him changes. He hears that Jesus of Nazareth approaches and recognizes the divinity of Jesus. “Son of David, have pity on me.” Although blind, Bartimaeus knows who Jesus is and that he can heal him, make whole what is partial. Although others tried to silence him, he kept calling out all the more. “Son of David, have pity on me.” Throwing off his cloak, Bartimaeus springs up to go to Jesus. With a word, Jesus restores his sight, and Bartimaeus follows him on the way. The faith of Bartimaeus restores him, makes him whole, and sets him on the way to salvation.
God, help me see, even if I don’t want to see or am afraid of what I might see. Bartimaeus said, “Master, I want to see.” I’m not sure I have what Bartimaeus had in that desire. Yet, like him, I cry out to you for your mercy. What would you have me see about myself, about my relationship with you, about my ability to hear your voice and do what is pleasing in your sight? Help me trust that when I call out to you, you hear me and provide what I need. Throughout the day, help me recall the prayer of the psalmist, who asks you to restore in overflowing grace what is sorely lacking: “Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the torrents in the southern desert. Those that sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Perpetual adoration live stream Kolbe Shrine.