Return with Healing

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to respond to the blindness of our society to the needs of those we are called to invite to return to communion with us on our journey.

Seeing our Way

The reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah describes the Road of Return for the exiles.

* [31:2–3] Jeremiah describes the exiles of the Northern Kingdom on their way home from the nations where the Assyrians had resettled them (722/721 B.C.). The favor they discover in the wilderness is the appearance of the Lord (v. 3) coming to guide them to Jerusalem. Implicit in these verses is the presentation of the people’s return from captivity as a second exodus, a unifying theme in Second Isaiah (chaps. 40–55). (Jeremiah, CHAPTER 31 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 126 proclaims a Harvest of Joy.

* [Psalm 126] A lament probably sung shortly after Israel’s return from exile. The people rejoice that they are in Zion (Ps 126:1–3) but mere presence in the holy city is not enough; they must pray for the prosperity and the fertility of the land (Ps 126:4). The last verses are probably an oracle of promise: the painful work of sowing will be crowned with life (Ps 126:5–6). (Psalms, PSALM 126 | USCCB, n.d.)

The reading from the Letter to the Hebrews, Jesus is identified as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

* [5:1–10] The true humanity of Jesus (see note on Heb 2:5–18) makes him a more rather than a less effective high priest to the Christian community. In Old Testament tradition, the high priest was identified with the people, guilty of personal sin just as they were (Heb 5:1–3). Even so, the office was of divine appointment (Heb 5:4), as was also the case with the sinless Christ (Heb 5:5). For Heb 5:6, see note on Ps 110:4. Although Jesus was Son of God, he was destined as a human being to learn obedience by accepting the suffering he had to endure (Heb 5:8). Because of his perfection through this experience of human suffering, he is the cause of salvation for all (Heb 5:9), a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek (Heb 5:10; cf. Heb 5:6 and Heb 7:3). (Hebrews, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

* [5:1] To offer gifts and sacrifices for sins: the author is thinking principally of the Day of Atonement rite, as is clear from Heb 9:7. This ritual was celebrated to atone for “all the sins of the Israelites” (Lv 16:34).

* [5:2] Deal patiently: the Greek word metriopathein occurs only here in the Bible; this term was used by the Stoics to designate the golden mean between excess and defect of passion. Here it means rather the ability to sympathize.

The Gospel of Mark relates the Healing of Blind Bartimaeus.

* [10:46–52] See notes on Mt 9:27–31 and 20:29–34. (Mark, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

* [9:27–31] This story was probably composed by Matthew out of Mark’s story of the healing of a blind man named Bartimaeus (Mk 10:46–52). Mark places the event late in Jesus’ ministry, just before his entrance into Jerusalem, and Matthew has followed his Marcan source at that point in his gospel also (see Mt 20:29–34). In each of the Matthean stories the single blind man of Mark becomes two. The reason why Matthew would have given a double version of the Marcan story and placed the earlier one here may be that he wished to add a story of Jesus’ curing the blind at this point in order to prepare for Jesus’ answer to the emissaries of the Baptist (Mt 11:4–6) in which Jesus, recounting his works, begins with his giving sight to the blind. (Matthew, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Elvin Cardoso, S.J. comments that today, Jesus passes by each of us, inviting us to express our desires. However, we must ponder: Do we sincerely seek? The vision Jesus offers isn’t just about physical sight; it’s about perceiving ourselves through His loving perspective. It’s an opportunity to recognize our inherent worth, beauty, and our unique roles in His creation.

Reflecting on Bartimaeus’ journey from the roadside to following Jesus, let’s consider what it means for us to rise and walk with Him. This is where the challenge emerges: to accept and embrace our true selves in the light of God’s love. When we learn to love ourselves, we become equipped to share that love with others. Just as Bartimaeus was transformed and enabled to follow Jesus, we, too, are called to a life marked by generous service and authentic relationships, empowered by the insight we gain through Christ. (Cardoso, 2024)

Don Schwager quotes “Your Word will enlighten and save me,” by Clement of Alexandria, 150-215 A.D.

"The commandment of the Lord shines clearly, enlightening the eyes. Receive Christ, receive power to see, receive your light, that you may plainly recognize both God and man. More delightful than gold and precious stones, more desirable than honey and the honeycomb is the Word that has enlightened us (Psalm 19:10). How could he not be desirable, who illumined minds buried in darkness, and endowed with clear vision 'the light-bearing eyes' of the soul? ... Sing his praises, then, Lord, and make known to me your Father, who is God. Your Word will save me, your song instruct me. I have gone astray in my search for God; but now that you light my path, Lord, I find God through you, and receive the Father from you, I become co-heir with you, since you were not ashamed to own me as your brother. Let us, then, shake off forgetfulness of truth, shake off the mist of ignorance and darkness that dims our eyes, and contemplate the true God, after first raising this song of praise to him: 'All hail, O light!' For upon us buried in darkness, imprisoned in the shadow of death, a heavenly light has shone, a light of a clarity surpassing the sun's, and of a sweetness exceeding any this earthly life can offer." (excerpt from EXHORTATION TO THE GREEKS 11.8) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 10:46-52 comments that Jesus wants us to ask him for whatever we need—whether that’s strength, boldness, or a particular set of gifts and talents—so that we can follow him.

Today at Mass, imagine Jesus asking you the same question he asked Bartimaeus: “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51). Don’t be afraid to tell him! Know that he is pleased when you come to him with your every need!

“Jesus, give me the courage to trust in you!” (Meditation on Mark 10:46-52, n.d.)

Peter Edmonds SJ writes about faith in the Gospel of Mark.

The word ‘faith’ occurs a fourth time in Mark in his account of the cure of Bartimaeus. He was a blind beggar who heard that Jesus was passing by. Three times he pleaded with Jesus for mercy and for the restoration of his sight. His prayer was granted and Jesus said to him, as to the woman previously, ‘Go, your faith has saved you’ (10:52). Paradoxically, Bartimaeus ignored this instruction to go; instead he followed Jesus on the way that led to Jerusalem, the city where Jesus was to die. His faith had expressed itself in repeated and persevering prayer, despite discouragement from those standing by. His example teaches us to persevere in prayer to the person of Jesus. Faith encourages the habit of regular and persistent prayer. Greek Christian tradition in particular has valued this prayer of Bartimaeus, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me’ (10:47); monks of old repeated it, as they trudged off to their work in the fields. (Edmonds, 2012)

Friar Jude Winkler notes the change of theme in this part of Jeremiah from condemnation of Judah to celebration of the return of the exiles from Babylon. Hebrews connects Jesus' priesthood to that of Melchizedek who offered bread and wine in the time of Abraham. Friar Jude notes the theme of the blind seeing Jesus' relation to God better than the sighted and the “saving” of Bartimaeus as indicating his physical and spiritual healing.

 

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, recognizes how a focus on religion as a matter of personal belief has discouraged some Christians from engaging in political action. The idea of “staying out of politics” doesn’t come from God. Fr. Richard senses that it arises from our egoic, dualistic thinking that has a hard time hearing a different perspective or learning something new. 

In my opinion, the reason we lost our Christian authority is because we did not talk about the inner world very well. We were much more focused on believing doctrines, practicing rituals, and following requirements, which are not, in and of themselves, inner or deep. Frankly, Buddhism spoke to inner transformation far better than the three monotheistic religions. We Christians did not connect the inner with the outer—which is a consequence of not going in deeply enough. Christianity now has become increasingly irrelevant, often to the very people who want to go both deep and far. We so disconnected from the political—the welfare of God’s aggregated people and the public forum—that soon we had nothing much to say.  

I am not talking about partisan politics here, but simply the connecting of the inner world with the outer world. We have allowed the word partisan to be the first and sometimes only meaning of the word political and so people don’t even allow us to preach a purely gospel message from the pulpit—as it might sound “political”!  

Here is my major point: There is no such thing as being nonpolitical. Everything we say or do either affirms or critiques the status quo. Even to say nothing is to say something: The status quo—even if it is massively unjust and deceitful—is apparently okay. This “nonpolitical” stance is an illusion we must overcome. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We reflect on our “blindness” to the needs of the people who we encounter on our journey and seek inspiration from the Spirit to include them as we seek goodness, truth and love.

References

Cardoso, E. (2024, October 27). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/102724.html 

Edmonds, P. (2012, November 13). Faith in the Gospels. Thinking Faith. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/20121113_1.htm 

Hebrews, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/5?1 

Jeremiah, CHAPTER 31 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/31?7 

Mark, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/10?46 

Matthew, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/9? 

Meditation on Mark 10:46-52. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/10/27/1113803/ 

Psalms, PSALM 126 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/126?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Beyond Private Virtue. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/beyond-private-virtue/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). What Do You Want Me to Do for You? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 27, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=oct27 

A Vision for God’s People

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us of our vocation to live as servants of God who respond to the nudges of the Spirit to seek help from and offer support to our community.

Building Vision

In the reading from the First Letter of Peter we are recognized as God’s House and People who live as servants of God.

* [2:1–3] Growth toward salvation is seen here as two steps: first, stripping away all that is contrary to the new life in Christ; second, the nourishment (pure spiritual milk) that the newly baptized have received.

* [2:3] Tasted that the Lord is good: cf. Ps 34:8.

* [2:4–8] Christ is the cornerstone (cf. Is 28:16) that is the foundation of the spiritual edifice of the Christian community (1 Pt 2:5). To unbelievers, Christ is an obstacle and a stumbling block on which they are destined to fall (1 Pt 2:8); cf. Rom 11:11.

* [2:5] Let yourselves be built: the form of the Greek word could also be indicative passive, “you are being built” (cf. 2 Pt 2:9).

* [2:9–10] The prerogatives of ancient Israel mentioned here are now more fully and fittingly applied to the Christian people: “a chosen race” (cf. Is 43:20–21) indicates their divine election (Eph 1:4–6); “a royal priesthood” (cf. Ex 19:6) to serve and worship God in Christ, thus continuing the priestly functions of his life, passion, and resurrection; “a holy nation” (Ex 19:6) reserved for God, a people he claims for his own (cf. Mal 3:17) in virtue of their baptism into his death and resurrection. This transcends all natural and national divisions and unites the people into one community to glorify the one who led them from the darkness of paganism to the light of faith in Christ. From being “no people” deprived of all mercy, they have become the very people of God, the chosen recipients of his mercy (cf. Hos 1:9; 2:23). (1 Peter, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 100 declares all Lands are summoned to Praise God.

* [Psalm 100] A hymn inviting the people to enter the Temple courts with thank offerings for the God who created them.

* [100:3] Although the people call on all the nations of the world to join in their hymn, they are conscious of being the chosen people of God. (Psalms, PSALM 100 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Mark describes the healing of Blind Bartimaeus.

* [10:46–52] See notes on Mt 9:27–31 and 20:29–34. (Mark, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

* [9:27] Son of David: this messianic title is connected once with the healing power of Jesus in Mark (Mk 10:47–48) and Luke (Lk 18:38–39) but more frequently in Matthew (see also Mt 12:23; 15:22; 20:30–31). (Matthew, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Cindy Murphy McMahon comments on how her infant granddaughter shows her the importance of trust. She trusts that her parents, grandparents, and caregivers will be there for her.

In today’s first reading Peter tells us, now that we “have tasted that the Lord is good,” to long for pure spiritual milk, like newborn infants. Just as my baby granddaughter looks lovingly, longingly, into my eyes as I feed her the bottle filled with the pure milk she so desperately desires, I need to lovingly gaze upon Jesus in the many ways he is available to me: in the Eucharist, in his Word, in the people around me, in people in need, in nature, in community with other Christians. Peter says that doing so will help build a follower of Christ into a spiritual house for the Lord.

I need to trust Jesus the way my grandbaby trusts me, and I need to be aware that Jesus’ love surrounds me and sustains me the way my granddaughter realizes her vulnerability and dependence. (Murphy McMahon, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Your Word will enlighten and save me,” by Clement of Alexandria, 150-215 A.D.

"The commandment of the Lord shines clearly, enlightening the eyes. Receive Christ, receive power to see, receive your light, that you may plainly recognize both God and man. More delightful than gold and precious stones, more desirable than honey and the honeycomb is the Word that has enlightened us (Psalm 19:10). How could he not be desirable, who illumined minds buried in darkness, and endowed with clear vision 'the light-bearing eyes' of the soul? ... Sing his praises, then, Lord, and make known to me your Father, who is God. Your Word will save me, your song instruct me. I have gone astray in my search for God; but now that you light my path, Lord, I find God through you, and receive the Father from you, I become co-heir with you, since you were not ashamed to own me as your brother. Let us, then, shake off forgetfulness of truth, shake off the mist of ignorance and darkness that dims our eyes, and contemplate the true God, after first raising this song of praise to him: 'All hail, O light!' For upon us buried in darkness, imprisoned in the shadow of death, a heavenly light has shone, a light of a clarity surpassing the sun's, and of a sweetness exceeding any this earthly life can offer." (excerpt from EXHORTATION TO THE GREEKS 11.8) (Schwager, 2024)

The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 Peter 2:2-5, 9-12 comments that there is no more life-giving spiritual food available to us than the Eucharist. At Mass, as we listen to the word of God and as we “taste” the goodness of Jesus himself in his Body and Blood, we are nourished and empowered to follow him. And that makes us hunger even more for God’s presence because we realize what a difference it makes in our lives.

Yet even when you receive the sacraments regularly, you might feel as if your growth in faith and understanding is painstakingly slow. But “growing into salvation” can be like time-lapse photography of a seed sprouting, pushing through the soil, forming leaves and buds, and finally unfolding into the beautiful flower that God intended it to be. You are growing even if you can’t see every step of the process.

So keep hungering for that “pure spiritual milk” of God’s goodness. Drink deeply and know that as you quench your thirst, it will have an effect in your life!

“Lord, I long for your nourishment. Thank you that you never stop working in me.” (Meditation on 1 Peter 2:2-5, 9-12, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler discusses the images used in 1 Peter of spiritual milk, living stone, cornerstone, chosen race, and royal priesthood. These terms may have been originally applied to the Hebrews but now are connected to Gentiles. Friar Jude reminds us of the value of praying with insistence. Blind Bartimaeus is saved because he is spiritually healed as well as being physically healed.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, recalls Howard Thurman (1899–1981) who reflected that contemplation helped him distinguish between pity and compassion.

God is making room in my heart for compassion: the awareness that where my life begins is where your life begins; the awareness that … your needs cannot be separated from … my needs; the awareness that the joys of my heart are never mine alone—nor are my sorrows. I struggle against the work of God in my heart; I want to be let alone. I want my boundaries to remain fixed, that I may be at rest. But even now, as I turn to [God] in the quietness, [God’s] work in me is ever the same.  

God is at work enlarging the boundaries of my heart. [1] (Rohr, n.d.)

We have piety, study, and action as guidelines for the Way in which we can make progress in our journey as disciples of the Son of David who seek to respond to the needs of those we encounter with compassion.

References

Mark, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 30, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/10?46 

Matthew, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 30, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/9? 

Meditation on 1 Peter 2:2-5, 9-12. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 30, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/30/981411/ 

Murphy McMahon, C. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved May 30, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/053024.html 

1 Peter, CHAPTER 2 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 30, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1peter/2? 

Psalms, PSALM 100 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 30, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/100?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Compassion Not Pity. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved May 30, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/compassion-not-pity/ 

Schwager, D. (2024, May 29). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 30, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=may30