Fr. Manuel João, comboni missionary
Sunday Reflection
from the womb of my whale, ALS
Our cross is the pulpit of the Word
30th Sunday of Ordinary Time (B)
Mark 10:46-52: “Rabbuni, let me see again!”
BEGGARS FOR LIGHT
The healing of the blind man from Jericho is the last miracle narrated in the Gospel of Mark. This story follows Jesus’ three predictions about His passion, death, and resurrection, accompanied by related teachings given to the disciples. These predictions and teachings form the backbone of the central part of the Gospel of Mark.
We are in Jericho, the last stop for Galilean pilgrims traveling along the Jordan road, heading toward Jerusalem for Passover. The distance between Jericho and Jerusalem is about 27 kilometers. The route passes through desert and mountainous terrain, with a significant elevation change. In fact, Jericho is about 258 meters below sea level, while Jerusalem is located about 750 meters above sea level. The journey is thus an uphill and rather strenuous one, a relevant detail in the context of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem, as described by Mark.
The evangelist pays particular attention to the figure of Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, likely a well-known person in the early community. Besides mentioning his father’s name, the evangelist carefully describes his actions: “He threw off his cloak, jumped up, and went to Jesus.” The cloak, considered the only possession of the poor, also represented a person’s identity. Therefore, “throwing off the cloak” symbolizes stripping oneself. St. Paul, in the Letter to the Ephesians (4:22), speaks of “putting off the old self.” Bartimaeus is the only case where it is said that the healed person follows Jesus on the way. The Desert Fathers saw in this an allusion to the baptismal liturgy: before being baptized, the catechumen would take off their garment, descend naked into the baptismal font, and, upon emerging, be clothed with a white robe.
Reflections
1. Bartimaeus, a figure of the disciple: symbolic significance of the miracle
The central part of the Gospel of Mark (chapters 8-10), called “the section of the way,” is framed by two healings of blind men. At the beginning of the section, we find the progressive healing of the blind man from Bethsaida (8:22-26), which immediately precedes Peter’s profession of faith at Caesarea Philippi. In that case, an unnamed blind man is brought to Jesus by some friends who intercede for him. At the end of the section, we find the healing of another blind man, Bartimaeus, who takes the initiative to ask, crying out—despite the opposition of the crowd—for the grace to regain his sight.
This story holds great symbolic value: Bartimaeus is a reflection of the disciple. In recent Sundays, Mark has guided us through the apostles’ journey. In this process of formation and awareness of the demands of discipleship, the disciple feels blind. Bartimaeus symbolizes the disciple who sits along the road, unable to continue. He represents each of us. Indeed, all of us realize we are spiritually blind when it comes to following Jesus on the way of the cross. Like Bartimaeus, we ask the Lord to be healed of the blindness that paralyzes us.
2. Bartimaeus, our brother: a “master” of prayer
Bartimaeus knows exactly what to ask for, unlike James and John, who “did not know what they were asking for.” He asks for the essential through a simple yet profound prayer: “Son of David, Jesus, have mercy on me!” In this plea, Bartimaeus expresses his faith in Jesus as the Messiah, calling him “Son of David”—he is the only person in the Gospel of Mark to give Him this title. At the same time, he shows a relationship of trust, intimacy, and tenderness, calling Jesus by name and addressing Him as “Rabbuni,” meaning “my teacher.” This title appears only twice in the Gospels: here and in the story of Mary Magdalene, on the morning of Easter (John 20:16).
Life is born from light and develops through light. The same happens in spiritual life: without inner light, our spiritual life is swallowed by darkness. At times, we experience the joy of light, while at other times, darkness seems to invade our existence. Problems, suffering, difficulties, and weaknesses cloud our vision of life, making us unable to follow the Lord. In such moments, Bartimaeus’ prayer comes to our aid: “Rabbuni, let me see again!” Bartimaeus is a master of simple, essential, and trusting prayer!
3. Companions of Bartimaeus: beggars for light
In the ancient Church, baptism was called “illumination.” This illumination, which has snatched us from the darkness of death, is constantly under threat. Our baptism implies a continuous journey of seeking the light. Like the sunflower, the Christian turns each day towards the Sun of Christ. Every morning, while we wash our physical eyes, our soul in prayer rushes to wash itself in the pool of Siloam of our baptism, like the blind man born blind mentioned by John in chapter 9 of his Gospel. And when we find ourselves blind, let us remember that there is the ointment of the Eucharist. With the hands that have received the Luminous Body of Christ, we can touch our eyes and face, mindful of the experience of the two disciples of Emmaus, whose eyes were opened in the “breaking of the bread.” Not only our eyes, but also our face is destined to shine, like that of Moses (Ex 34:29). Indeed, the face of the Christian reflects the glory of Christ (2 Cor 3:18), thus becoming a witness of the Light, placed on the lampstand of the world.
Fr. Manuel João Pereira Correia, MCCJ
