Sunday Reflections: 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B

1^st Reading – Jeremiah 31:7-9

2^nd Reading – Hebrews 5:1-6

Gospel – Mark 10:46-52

“What do you want me to do for you?” These are the words of Jesus to Bartimaeus who called out to Him in need. These are the words of God to us. We who are suffering, in pain, in anguish, and in desolation, God says the same. “What do you want me to do for you?” are words of a God who is not out of touch to human suffering, but the words of God who is with us in all our problems and pains.

This reality is made manifest in the life of a person who is able to recognize his pains and needs, a person who is humble enough to accept his insufficiency and inability to bring himself to the fullness of life. Bartimaeus, heard who about Jesus and was convinced that Jesus can help him. He called out to Him, “Son of David, have mercy on me.” Bartimaeus reminds us that faith and trust are important in our relationship with God. Calling out for mercy is the attitude of a person in need. The God of Mercy is pleased to help those who are humble and poor, not with those who are arrogant and proud.

Bartimaeus responded to Jesus’ question with the words, “Master, that I may see.” Our pride and arrogance, like Bartimaeus’ physical blindness, blind us to the reality of our being. Bartimaeus wanted to see the world as they are, and beyond that, he wants to see the One whom he heard as the Healer and Prophet. This is manifested by his act of following Jesus after this event. He followed Jesus. Our own blindness leads us nowhere, it leads us to make our own path. Like Bartimaeus, let us call out to the God of Mercy to heal our spiritual blindness that we may be able to follow Jesus, seeing the path where He is leading us.

The Prophet Jeremiah says, “Thus says the LORD: Shout with joy for Jacob, exult at the head of the nations; proclaim your praise and say: The LORD has delivered his people, the remnant of Israel.” God delivers His people; He fills all with joy. This is the attitude of a Christian who knows that God is with him/her, he/she is full of joy even in the midst of all pains and sufferings. Whether he/she is in pain or not, he/she is always full of joy because he or she knows that God is with him or her in all these. He/she is not suffering alone, rather his/her God is with him/her to deliver him/her.

The humility of Christ, the God-made-man, made Him an example of glory for us. He was given glory, as a man, by the Father because of His obedience. He is, therefore, a model for us. The Letter to the Hebrews says, “It was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest, but rather the one who said to him: You are my son: this day I have begotten you; just as he says in another place: You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” In the same way, our humility, following the example of Christ will lead us to the glory of heaven.