By Msgr. Joseph Prior • Posted October 25, 2024

(See the readings for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Many people today are tired, worn out. So many worries. People are concerned about the election and the sharp political divide in our country. They are concerned about the world situation: Ukraine, Israel and Palestine, China and Taiwan, North and South Korea. People are concerned about the economy, their jobs, and the cost of living. Parents worry about the future for their children. Not seeing any clear solutions, frustration rises and along with it anger, fear and bitterness.

Perhaps our anxieties and worries are more personal. Perhaps one is facing death. Perhaps one has lost a loved one to death. Perhaps a loved one has been diagnosed with a serious medical condition. Perhaps a loved one is sick but no diagnosis is found. Perhaps one is suffering with a mental illness which is breaking relationships and friendships. Perhaps one is dealing with a failure. Perhaps one is in a job that just doesn’t satisfy. Perhaps one is lonely. Perhaps one is in a broken marriage. Perhaps a child is struggling with addiction. The list could go on and on.

The liturgy for this Sunday reminds us that into the dark spots of life – the places where worry, fear, anxiety, angst and apprehension reside – a light can shine. “Shout with joy,” Jeremiah calls to the people Israel. Jeremiah’s world was falling apart. His society was breaking apart. The threat of Babylon was on the horizon. His calls for reform were unheard. Yet in the midst of all this, Jeremiah calls for joy. His faith in God is the source of this joy, a joy that allows Jeremiah to see light beyond the darkness.

The call for joy resonates in the liturgy’s passage from the Gospel according to St. Mark. The story recalls the powerful encounter between Jesus and Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus was a blind man. With his eyes he could see nothing but darkness. While the darkness fills his eyes, there is a light within that allows him to see. He sees with the eyes of faith. He hears, with his ears, that Jesus is nearby and calls out: “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.” Here he uses the title “Son of David.”

Bartimaeus recognizes Jesus’ kingship. He realizes that Jesus is the One who can help him in his need. The crowd rebukes him and tells him to be quiet, yet that light within him is shining as he calls out again: “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.”

The Son of David hears his voice. He hears the pleading. He hears the need. He sees the faith. Jesus is moved with compassion and calls Bartimaeus to himself. Bartimaeus jumps up, throws aside his cloak and runs to Jesus. He is being heard. Jesus is listening. Jesus wants to hear him and asks: “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus, the blind man, answers: “I want to see.” Jesus then replies: “Go your way; your faith has saved you.”

Jesus recognizes the faith of Bartimaeus and he heals him. The joy is overwhelming. Jesus has opened a new world for Bartimaeus. His life is changed. The darkness has turned to light. Bartimaeus recognizes the gift that comes from Jesus. Then, as Jesus has instructed, he goes his way – and that “way” is Jesus. “And,” as St. Mark recalls, “he followed him on the way.” Life flows from Jesus. Bartimaeus has found life in Christ, and nothing else will do.

The healing of Bartimaeus is a good reminder for us of Jesus’ healing power. He can and does heal whatever is broken within us. His healing power is most powerfully seen in his cross and resurrection. He heals humanity in our brokenness. He frees us from sin and death. He gives us eternal life. He gives us help, counsel, advice, encouragement, healing and peace. He gives us a Way and leads us on the way through darkness to light.

Sometimes we get weighed down by worry. We are anxious about our world, our country, our neighborhoods, our families. Blindness may be manifest, among other things, in anger, violence, frustration, bigotry, quick judgment, fear, and cynicism.

Yet we, like Bartimaeus, are a people with an internal light. That light urges us to go to the Light. As Jesus calls Bartimaeus to himself, Jesus also calls us to himself. As he gives sight to Bartimaeus, he gives us sight and fills us with joy.

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Msgr. Joseph Prior is pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish, Penndel, and a former professor of Sacred Scripture and rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.