Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time • Year B

During the course of his public ministry, Jesus would time and again turn convention upside down. Today’s Gospel is one of those occasions. During the past few weeks, we’ve heard Jesus talk to his disciples about his identity and the requirements for discipleship. The disciples didn’t quite grasp the implications of that discipleship. This culminated in last week’s Gospel, when James and John shot right past the challenges which would be involved to ask Jesus for the two places of honor in his kingdom, one on his right and one on his left. The call to service and the call to take up the cross didn’t seem to matter.

In this Sunday’s Gospel, we have the story of Bartimaeus, a blind man begging along the side of the road. Bartimaeus had an insight that the disciples seemed to be lacking. He called Jesus by his Messianic title, “Jesus, Son of David.” This man, who literally couldn’t see Jesus, viewed him through the eyes of faith. He saw Jesus in a way that even his closest followers were not able to understand. He was not going to be deterred from encountering Jesus, even though people kept telling him to be silent. This was a man of deep faith.

Jesus was always moved by the faith of people who approached him, convinced that he could change their lives. Jesus called Bartimaeus over and asked him what he wanted. “I want to see” was his simple response. Jesus, moved by Bartimaeus’ faith, granted his request. He also presented him with an invitation for discipleship.

Bartimaeus was quick to respond and, as the Gospel concludes, “followed him on the way.” This “yes” changed his life.

There are times in our own life when our circumstances prevent us from being open to what the Lord is calling us. It could be sickness, the loss of a loved one, the loss of employment, a broken relationship or even dealing with the stress of the current election cycle. Any of these things can get in the way of our ability to welcome Jesus into our lives. It’s during those moments when he wants to be by our side, guiding us and lifting us up, opening up a door to new intimacy with him. It can come in so many different ways, a situation that presents itself or a person who presents themselves us in a way that can point out Jesus’ love. As we take great care of our physical eyesight, pray that we may take that same opportunity to care for another eyesight, that is the care we give to improve ourselves with the eyes of faith.