How Special Are We?

Thursday, May 30, 2024

1 Pt 2:2-5,9-12; Mk 10: 46-52

Today’s Gospel invites us to ask why Bartimaeus, among many others who received sight from Jesus, becomes significant enough to be given a name. 

The passage helps us understand the significance of Bartimaeus in at least four ways. 

Persistence: Bartimaeus comes across to us as someone who is very persistent. When people rebuke Bartimaeus for calling out the name of Jesus, he only cries out all the louder. He is not discouraged by the crowd’s rebuke. Instead, he is determined to get from Jesus what he wants. His determination and persistence make him certainly special. 

Proclamation: Bartimaeus is special because, though he was blind, he could recognize Jesus as the Messiah, unlike others, who were not blind but couldn’t still recognize who Jesus was. Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus, saying, ‘Son of David’ which is a Messianic title given to Jesus. Bartimaeus knew something about Jesus that others didn’t. That makes him special. 

Foreseeing: Unlike others, Bartimaeus had the ability to foresee his healing from Jesus. The way he responds to the call of Jesus (though he hears it from others) indicates the certainty he has about his healing. He throws aside his cloak (because he wouldn’t return to begging) and springs up (because he is joyful and certain) when he comes to Jesus. At the call of Jesus, he already behaved healed before it could be formalized with the words of Jesus. His attitude, which reveals that he is going to enter a new life at the very call of Jesus, makes him special. 

Following: Upon receiving sight, Bartimaeus does not go ‘his way’ although Jesus leaves it to his choice. Instead, Bartimaeus follows Jesus, to walk in ‘His Way.’ Bartimaeus chose Jesus when he was free to do what he wanted. He chose to dedicate his life to Jesus, though he was gifted with a new life to live in the way he would have liked it. His choice of Jesus over anything else makes him special too. 

Bartimaeus made himself special to Jesus. How special are we to Jesus? 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar