30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading I: Jeremiah 31:7-9
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6
Reading II: Hebrews 5:1-6
Gospel: Mark 10:46-52
The gospel according to St Mark this weekend is the last miracle that Jesus performed before entering Jerusalem. It is about Bartimaeus, a blind man, a man of no significance. He cannot see Jesus. His blindness cripples his mobility. He can only sit at the side of the road. By all human standards, his application for discipleship should be turned down for he cannot function in God’s kingdom. His blindness may even be interpreted by many as a punishment for sinfulness. He is a helpless creature who cannot make any claim because he is a beggar, totally at the mercy of others.
The shouts of Bartimaeus did not go unnoticed by Jesus. He stopped and called him. He heard his plea, and it was enough to let the caravan stop. Bartimaeus had not called for pity in vain. He knew whom he was praying to. His was more than just a plea but a courageous prayer born of faith and hope. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who is not satisfied with having a large number of sheep. He goes to look for the one hundredth sheep that is missing. Bartimaeus too had his place in the kingdom. We know even his name, to be remembered by Christians of all times. All are called by Jesus, all are welcome, there are no restrictions arising from qualifications or quotas. He does not call people because they are qualified. He calls all and qualifies those who respond.
Efren Tomas
In 2004, Father Efren arrived on Maui, Hawaii to be the Pastor of Christ The King Catholic Church in Kahului, Maui until 2012. He calls Christ The King his home because this was his first parish in Hawaii.
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