Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.”

 

Gospel Reading: Mark 10:46-52

 

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.”  And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. 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.

 

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus is approached by a blind man.  What is most interesting is that the blind man does not ask for his sight, but asks for Jesus to “have pity”.  He asks Jesus to have compassion on his soul.  In the days of Christ, if a person had an affliction, it was thought to be a punishment from God.  Therefore, before the man could gain his sight, Jesus had to have compassion.  The crowds tried to keep the blind man away, yet he kept calling out.  He knew that his sight was only possible from the compassion of God himself.  Jesus asks him, “What do you want me to do for you?”  He replies, “Master, I want to see.”  So often in our own life we are blinded by the world or blinded by the problems that afflict our lives.  We cry out to God and the world rebukes us.  They try to prevent us from seeing God.  So often we give up on our quest to see the true light of the world which will set us free from our afflictions.  When you cry out to God, he responds with a simple question, “What do you want me to do for you?”  We must respond, “Master, I want to see.”  If we are tue in our requests, our faith will save us and free us from our affliction.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God, I am blind,

Give me sight so I can see your wonderful works.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon