God’s mercy is a challenge to our vision. So is faith. Do we trust in God’s vision? Are we open to it?
Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, spreads his cloak so that
passersby can throw alms onto it; the cloak is his assurance that he will be
able to gather the coins even if he can’t see them. But when Jesus and his disciples pass by him
on their way out of Jericho, what does he do?
Bartimaeus throws aside his cloak,
springs up, and comes to Jesus.
Abandoning his former life, and, along with it, his dependence on the
charity of the world, blind Bartimaeus makes a beeline for Jesus, confident, trusting
that this man can give him what no one else has managed to: clear vision.
I want to see. Bartimaeus is given physical sight, but he already has faith, the ability to go
toward the unknown with confidence, open to God, trusting in God’s vision
rather than in his own lack thereof. And
when Jesus restores to him the freedom to choose – Go on your way; your faith has healed you – what way does he choose? The Way that is Jesus himself: Immediately
he received his sight and followed him on the way, into Jerusalem, where
Jesus will show himself to be both priest and sacrifice. And many more eyes will be opened.
Jesus is Bartimaeus’ guide; Jesus is his new cloak;
Jesus is
his deliverance and his consolation.
Is
he yours?
(Christ Healing the Blind Beggars of Jericho)
Louvre, Paris, France
This reflection is based on Fr. Pat's Thursday night Scripture class.
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