Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B October 28, 2018

First Reading
Jeremiah 31:7-9
The Lord declares himself to be the Father of Israel.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 126:1-2,2-3,4-5,6
A song of praise to God who does great things

Second Reading
Hebrews 5:1-6
Christ was made high priest by God.

Gospel Reading
Mark 10:46-52
Jesus restores sight to the blind man, Bartimaeus

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.


Background on the Gospel Reading

Today we continue to read from Mark's Gospel. In this Gospel, we find
evidence of Jesu' fame in the sizable crowd that accompanies him as he
journeys to Jerusalem. Jesus' reputation as a healer has preceded him.
When the blind man, Bartimaeus, hears that Jesus of Nazareth is passing
by, he calls out to him, asking for his pity.

When Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus, the crowd around him tries to silence
him. Yet Bartimaeus persists, calling out more loudly and with greater
urgency. He will not be silenced or deterred from getting Jesus'
attention. We notice how quickly the crowd's reaction changes when Jesus
calls for Bartimaeus. Those who sought to quiet him now encourage him.

When Jesus restores Bartimaeus's sight, no elaborate action is required.
(In other healing stories in Mark's Gospel, actions accompany Jesus'
words). In this instance, Jesus simply says that Bartimaeus's faith has
saved him. Throughout Mark's Gospel, the success of Jesus' healing power
has often been correlated with the faith of the person requesting Jesus'
help. For example, it is because of her faith that the woman with the
hemorrhage is healed. When faith is absent, Jesus is unable to heal; we
see this after his rejection in Nazareth.

Once his sight has been restored, Bartimaeus follows Jesus on his way to
Jerusalem. In Mark's Gospel, Bartimaeus is the last disciple called by
Jesus before he enters Jerusalem. Bartimaeus hears that Jesus of Nazareth
is passing by, but he calls out to Jesus using words of faith—"Son of
David." Many in Jesus' time believed that the anticipated Jewish Messiah
would be a descendent of King David. Bartimaeus's words prepare us for the
final episodes of Mark's Gospel, which begin with Jesus' preparation for
the Passover and his triumphant entry into Jerusalem. As Mark has shown us
in our readings over the past few Sundays, however, Jesus will be the
Messiah in a way that will be difficult for many to accept. Jesus will
show himself to be the Messiah through his suffering and death.


Family Connection

Today's Gospel offers us a powerful example of faith and persistence in
prayer. Those around him rebuked Bartimaeus for his efforts to attract
Jesus' attention. When silenced by the crowd, however, Bartimaeus called
out all the more. He is persistent and bold in his confidence that Jesus
will show mercy on him and do what he asks. His persistence and great
confidence that Jesus would help him reminds us of the confidence with
which our children bring to us their needs. In their faith and trust we
can find an example of the attitude with which we might approach God in
prayer.

As a family, recall a request that has been made repeatedly by one family
member to another. Talk about why the request continues to be made if the
answer continues to be no. Then read together today's Gospel, Mark
10:46-52. After reading the Gospel, pose questions such as these to your
family: Why must Bartimaeus be persistent in calling out to Jesus? (Some
people in the crowd are telling him to be quiet.) What does Bartimaeus do
when some try to stop him? (He calls out to Jesus all the more.) When
Jesus stops and calls for him, what does Jesus do and say? (He restores
Bartimaeus's sight; Jesus tells Bartimaeus his faith has saved him.) When
we pray, God wants us to be so confident he will help us that we don't
permit anyone to keep us from bringing our needs to God in prayer. Invite
family members to identify the things they need most from God. Pray these
prayers of petition together as a family, confident that God will hear and
answer your prayers. Respond to each petition, "Jesus, Son of David, have
pity on us." Conclude by praying the Glory Be to the Father.


Sources: Loyola Press; Sunday Readings