What Do We Really Want?

Isaiah 59:(1-4)9-19
Hebrews 5:12-6:1,9-12
Mark 10:46-52
Psalm 13

One astonishing thing in the gospel for today is that when the blind man, Bartimeus, actually comes before Jessus, Jesus does not suppose he knows what Bartimeus desires. Many of us see a person in need and immediately assume that the person wants a problem resolved. Jesus, however, did not think he knew what Bartimeus desired before he himself told Jesus what it was.

Barbara Crafton raises some very good questions from this observation in her periodic e-mailing. Do we see the person, or do we see the disability? Does it not make more sense to see a person, a rich and multi-textured personality, rather than simply what stikes us as the most immediate difference to ourselves? Is it not better to ask a person their own story rather than to make assumptions?

A further consideration is what will Bartimeus do for his living? He is accustomed to sitting on the road to Jerusalem receiving alms from pilgrims who are seeking to please God, and one such way is to give to those who are in need. What will Bartimeus do for a living when he stops receiving this ancient equivalent to a disability check?

If we look at Bartimeus as a metaphor for our lives, do we really want to see? What do we receive from not seeing in our lives? Are we hiding from talents and accomplisments that we have because we cannot accept the good things God has done for us, but determine to remain victims, or to maintain a false image of ourselves? Are we hiding from parts of our lives that are destructive to ourselves or others? We can choose to be blind both in our personal lives, or in our life in society. How do we profit from our blindness? What is the equivalent of our disability check?

I suspect Jesus would not have faulted Bartimeus for not wishing to leave his livelihood behind. Jesus knows our weakness, and I believe that God is very patient with us, gently pulling us towards a greater fulfillment of our lives, though it is also true God sometimes tugs at us in less than gentle ways. More importantly I imagine Jesus was touched again by his faith in desiring healing, a faith he already expressed in calling Jesus, Son of David. Can we also exercise this faith, and express our desire to truly see ourselves, and our society?

God bless,
Father John