Weekly Bible Readings , 29 October 2000
(Proper 25, 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B)
Verse of scripture
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall ever be in my mouth. I will glory in the Lord; let the humble hear and rejoice. Proclaim with me the greatness of the Lord, let us exalt his name for ever. Psalm 34
Collect Prayer for the Day桞efore we read we pray
O God, forasmuch as without you we are not able to please you; mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Jeremiah 31:7-9
This is what the LORD says: "Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, 'O LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.' See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labour; a great throng will return. They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel's father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son. (This is the Word of the Lord桾hanks be to God)
Mark 10:46-52
Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. (This is the Word of the Lord桾hanks be to God)
Post Communion Prayer
Holy and blessed God, you have fed us with the body and blood of your Son and filled us with your Holy Spirit: may we honour you not only with our lips but in our lives dedicated to the service of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Meditation
The home of God is among mortals. God will dwell with us as our God; we will be God's people. And God will be with us, wiping every tear from our eyes. Death will be no more; Mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the former things will pass away. All things will be made new. Revelation
Commentary
"Bartimaeus shows that God doesn't solve problems for us. God solves problems with us"
As Jesus progresses toward Jerusalem, he teaches his disciples and demonstrates what discipleship entails. But while Jesus' message seems almost painfully clear to us, his followers repeatedly appear to miss the point. They don't recognise the significance of the "visual aids" Jesus offers along the way. Now, as the "way" to Jerusalem grows ever shorter, we have today's text about Jesus' miraculous healing of the blind Bartimaeus (10:46-52). It is in this final scene before entering Jerusalem and the inauguration of a new stage of Jesus' ministry that the elements of passion, discipleship and miraculous power all come together.
Jesus and his disciples come to Jericho and leave it all in one short breath. Obviously the significant thing about this point in the journey to Jerusalem, which is less than a day's walk from Jericho, is what lies just on the other side of this village, not the village itself. Mark alone among the gospels identifies the blind beggar outside the town, naming him Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus. Bartimaeus is apparently sitting in his usual begging spot , "by the roadside" between Jericho and the way that leads toward Jerusalem. But when Bartimaeus hears who is approaching his roadside perch, he begins to make a fuss. Jesus is identified to the reader, and supposedly to the blind Bartimaeus, as "Jesus of Nazareth." But when the excited Bartimaeus begins calling for him it is for "Jesus, Son of David" (v.47). The name change is significant. Bartimaeus' enthusiastic confession suggests that, though blind, he sees something else in the identity of this Jesus. Like the crowd that will soon welcome Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, Bartimaeus identifies Jesus with the messianic lineage of David. As the "Son of David" Jesus is heir to the coming kingdom, not just a wandering healer/teacher/preacher from Nazareth.
Everything about Bartimaeus' healing story is emphatic and decisive. Bartimaeus' insight is sharp (calling Jesus the "Son of David") and his conviction is unquenchable. When others try to "shush" him down, Bartimaeus responds by shouting louder. His faith in Jesus' ability to heal him is so great that it in effect stops Jesus in his tracks (v.49, "Jesus stood still"). When told Jesus had called him, Bartimaeus springs into action. What had been a dusty lump of a beggar sitting by the roadside is transformed into a vital, vibrant man, who first springs up and then throws off the cumbersome cloak that slows him down. Bartimaeus comes to Jesus just as quickly as he can. Bartimaeus' request, however, is based on his unquestioning faith in Jesus and his recognition of Jesus' unique being. The form of address Bartimaeus uses here, 慠abbouni? is an especially formal, respectful term for rabbi or teacher and is used just this once in all of Mark's gospel.
Now again, unlike the first healing of a blind man, Jesus simply says to Bartimaeus, "Go, your faith has made you well" (v.52). There is no miraculous spitting or eye-rubbing or deep stares here, only faith. And Barti-maeus' faith is evidently more than enough. Just as this blind man's faith enabled him to raise his voice above that of the crowd, to persist in his demands, to eagerly come to Jesus, so his faith has healed him. That Jesus' faith in Bartimaeus is well-placed is evident by the fact that, having regained his sight, Bartimaeus now follows Jesus on "the way" to Jerusalem.
Bartimaeus is therefore an example of faith to us all. (1) by his going to Jesus; (2) by his belief that Jesus was the Messiah; (3) by persevering against opposition; (4) by casting away all that hindered; (5) by obeying Jesus when he was called; (6) by following and praising him after he was cured.
Prayers for Sunday
God, our Shepherd, give to the Church a new vision and a new charity, new wisdom and fresh understanding, the revival of her brightness and the renewal of her unity; that the eternal message of your Son, undefiled by human tradition, may be hailed as the good news of the new age; through him who makes all things new, Jesus Christ our Lord. Percy Dearmer (1867-1936)
Gracious and all merciful God - we give thanks to you today for your compassion and your love. We proclaim your goodness and your strength and we call upon you in praise and thanksgiving. Bless us and bless your people everywhere this day with your holy presence. Help us to worship you in a manner worthy of our calling and to render to you the tribute due to your name. We ask it through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In the silence of the stars, in the quiet of the hills and in the heaving of the sea, you speak O Lord. In the words of the prophets and the message of the apostles, you speak O Lord. Now we pray, speak in this place, in the calming of our minds and the longing of our hearts, by the words of my lips and the meditations of our hearts. Speak, O Lord, for your servants listen.
Eternal God, You have been our resting-place through the ages. Generations come and pass away, but You abide forever. We praise you for Your presence among us. You bring us comfort amid our trials - clarity where confusion persists - peace in the midst of conflict - and hope of eternal life. Hear us now as we pray for Your Church and the needs of the world, for You are the God of our lives. We pray for the Church of Jesus Christ; that, begun, maintained and promoted by the Holy Spirit, it may be true, engaging, glad, and active, doing your will. Let Your church be always faithful, O God, and ready to promote the cause of compassionate love and peace
We pray that as Christian disciples we may be a faithful witness in word and deed to the Good News of Christ's Love. We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the word. We pray that everywhere upon this earth there may be justice and peace. We pray especially today for the well being of people in parts of the world affected by drought and famine. We continue to pray for peace in the Middle East. Lord, we pray for all people in their daily life and work - for our families, friends, and neighbours, and for those who are alone. We name before you individuals and families experiencing personal hardship or facing and uncertain future, those who are separated from loved ones, those who grieve this today, and those who are sick in hospital or ill at home. Hear us Lord as we now lift up those people and those situations you have placed upon our hearts.
Hymns for this Sunday (Hymns and Psalms)
- All praise to our redeeming Lord 753,
- One more step 746,
- Brother sister let me serve you梠n notices,
- It is God who holds the nations 404,
- For the healing 402.