THURSDAY MAY 30, 2024
EIGHT WEEK OF THE ORDINARY TIME B
1 Peter 2:2-5.9-12
Mark 10:46-52
CHRIST’S REDEMPTIVE WORK
The gospel presents the salvific or redemptive work of Christ amidst the weaknesses and difficulties of man. That though we encounter many difficulties in life yet the mercies, love and redemption of Christ is much more stronger and greater than our situations.
The blind Bartimaeus had two inhibitions in life. He was a blind man as well as a beggar. These are human conditions that exposes the weakness of our human nature. So the condition of Bartimaeus represents the very condition of humanity that is sick, humbled, in despicable condition but nonetheless, repairable when help is sought from the right source.
Bartimaeus, demonstrates to us through this passage the powers of seeking help and recognizing the right source of our help. He heard the voice of Jesus, the word of God and Word of life. His knowledge of the presence of Jesus of Nazareth elicited his cry for help. And Bartimaeus started shouting for help, for attention, and for urgent answer to his despicable condition.
His persistent cry for help is one that the author wishes to bring to awareness. First is to know our sources of redemption which is in Christ. Then the need to call, cry, request and appeal for help is yet another step in our struggles to overcome our inhibitions in life.
That should be our reaction also to the recognized presence of life’s misfortunes and situations adverse to happy living. The presence of Jesus was never taken away from us. As Bartimaeus found in Jesus the comfort, the solution and the salvation he desires, so much so can we receive same as well. But we need to understand other elements necessary. First, recognizing Jesus, then crying out and thirdly, holding on to the faith.
His persistence in crying out to Jesus was even challenged by the crowd who wanted him to shut up and continue in his bad condition. But that did not deter him for crying even loader and consistently.
He never allowed the crowd who represented the conditions of life that shuts the doors of our salvation, grace and favour to distract our attention from our expected salvation.
The cry of the poor man, the cry of the man in any condition is always heard, and attended to. Jesus notices our cry, takes account of our yearning and seeks to remedy our situation by providing solution and salvation to us in all circumstances of our lives.
And when eventually Jesus invites Bartimaeus to himself and inquires to help by demanding what he actually wanted. The reactions of Bartimaeus is worth noting and emulating. Bartimaeus on hearing the call of Jesus, he first throw out his cloak of begging, sprang to his feet and walk up to Jesus. Throwing off the cloak of sickness, poverty, unhappiness and all forms of deprivations that inhibit us and our confront is key to our salvation. It means looking beyond our predicaments no matter what they may be. Being hopeful and expectant and holding on to Christ.
It means also that believing in Christ redemptive work, trusting in Christ salvific action and depending on it, that is, possessing strong faith is problem half solved. It mean we recognize the supremacy of Jesus over any of our conditions in life. This is encouraging ourselves and trusting in Divine providence even in the heat of our discomforts.
Jesus’ quest to know or cross check his intention again by demanding and asking Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” Was more or less a test to the feeble faith or the strength of faith we have in Christ. No wonder Jesus command him afterwards saying, “Go your way, you faith has made you well.” And then “immediately he received his sight and followed him.” So patience is needed to be imbibed in our life situations, consistency to our prayer life and faithfulness in focusing on Christ amidst the pains, tensions and discomforts we experience help us to attain the blessings of Christ. All are tests to our faith.
Salvation of Christ is real, imminent and sure. His presence in our lives and situations is also real and sure. We need like Bartimaeus to know that the redemptive work of Christ is for our good and we must tap into it. We must be conscious of it, recognize his presence, implore his help, trust him and ever rejoice in him.
Heavenly Father, may the care, love and healing you administered to Bartimaeus enliven our faith, restore our confidence in you, and strengthen our resolve to always present our problems, difficulties and deprivations to your throne of mercy. May our prayers be fervent, consistent, and always find favourable answers through Christ our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
