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October 20, 2021Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time— October 24, 2021 Jeremiah 31:7-9; Psalm 126:1-2,2-3,4-5,6; Hebrews 5:1-6; Mark 10:46-52
Throughout the gospels, Jesus encourages us to place our faith in Him so that we might live in God’s Kingdom in this world and the next. He reminds us often that God’s way is not the world’s way and that we must see with the eyes of faith and trust like little children if we wish to live in true joy and peace. In next week’s gospel we are provided with another great example of how God has the power to restore us from our infirmities. Bartimaeus was blind. He could not see. Yet he believed Jesus could heal him. With great trust, Bartimaeus stripped off his cloak, ran to Jesus and was healed. But what was Bartimeus’ response to this great gift? He didn’t run off. He didn’t return to his home. No, he left everything and followed after Jesus!
How many of us have become blinded by the enticements of our modern world to pursue wealth, only to find ourselves living with frustration, doubts, regrets and insecurity? How often have we found ourselves in the fog struggling with tough decisions without even asking God what His will is for our life?
God sent Jesus to help us clearly see how much He loves us and to teach us by His example how to live a life of love. What is our response to this greatest of all gifts? Whenever we are tempted to lust, greed or envy or find ourselves losing our way, we are invited to throw off our own cloak of self-sufficiency and run to Christ, for He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. God has the power to restore us from any brokenness we might incur. When we turn in faith to Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, our sight will be restored, our path will be enlightened and we will discover we are loved and loveable. But then what will our response be? Will we return to our old ways, patterns and practices or will we resolve to keep our eyes more clearly focused on Christ and seek to follow more closely in His footsteps? We who have faith are called to be different than those of the world, just as Christ was different in His day.
For further reflection on our need for God, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 27-30; for the characteristics of faith, 153-165; and on the mysterious and almighty power of God, 272-274.
Reflection questions:
- As He asked Bartimaeus in the Gospel, Jesus asks us each day “What do you want me to do for you?” What keeps me from turning to Jesus in times of temptation, challenge or struggle?
- What is the blindness that I struggle with most? Do I have faith that Jesus will heal me if I ask Him? What might I be able to do for Him if my sin or struggle was wiped away?
- In the weeks ahead, how can I help those in my family, workplace, parish and community better see God’s love alive in the world through how I live my life?
