We all know how important our eyes are to us. They help us to navigate our everyday world, avoid the obstacles that we find ahead of us and enjoy all the delights that surround us. Especially at this time of the year, when the fall foliage is on full display, our eyes help us to see the beauty of God’s creation. Those with impaired vision and those who are blind are limited in their ability to move about safely and to enjoy the fullness of God’s wondrous world. Of course, we recognize blindness as a physical condition and there are agencies in our society today that provide assistance for those afflicted with it. That was not the case in Jesus’ time. In his day, it was thought that a person’s blindness – or any other illness or disability – was due to sins that either the person or his forefathers had committed. There were no agencies that helped them. In fact, they were often expelled from their families and reduced to begging to survive. In asking to see, it appears that Bartimaeus is merely asking for the opportunity to be welcomed back into society, for the ability to live and work and earn his keep rather than having to beg for survival. Notice, however, that when he is given his sight, he immediately follows Jesus “on the way.” In Mark’s Gospel, this phrase – on the way – is code language for those who follow the Lord, who are willing to suffer and die with him so as to live a new life in him.
Why would Bartimaeus decide to follow Jesus rather than just thank him and go home to begin a new life with his family and neighbors? The answer lies in his recognition of who Jesus was. Even though he was physically blind, Bartimaeus had the spiritual insight to recognize Jesus as the Son of David. He could see with eyes of faith and he put his trust in Jesus. You’ll notice that, when Jesus stops and calls him, the blind man throws off his cloak and leaves it behind. This cloak has been his most important possession. It has kept him warm in the chill of the desert night and shielded him from the hot desert sun during the day. It was also on his cloak that passersby would throw their coins when he begged. But, when Jesus calls him, Bartimaeus has the strength of faith to believe that he will no longer need his cloak as he puts himself in the hands of the Lord. And, he is not disappointed – Jesus gives him his sight and new direction in his life – on the way to eternal joy.
As we reflect on this Sunday’s gospel passage, I ask you to remember last week’s gospel reading. You will recall that, last week, two of Jesus’ disciples, James and John, also asked a favor of Jesus. He responded to them in the same way as he responded to Bartimaeus: “What is it that you would like me to do for you?” And, last week, we heard James and John tell Jesus, “Grant that, in your glory, we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” Their vision was of glory for themselves.
They hadn’t yet looked at Jesus with eyes of faith but merely focused on how he could help them get ahead.
In response to Jesus’ question, “What do you want me to do for you?” we hear two very different responses. Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, shows us how a true disciple should respond to Jesus. Although he is physically blind and, according to the people of his time, a sinner, he has the insight of faith to recognize who Jesus is – the son of David, the long-awaited Messiah. And, he has the courage to ask for what he really needs: to follow Jesus and avoid the obstacles – such as the self-serving glory that James and John sought – so that he could enjoy the fullness of God’s glory.
So, what is the lesson for us today? We who are blessed with physical sight also need to have the spiritual insight of Bartimaeus to look beyond the self-centered pleasures of this life to see the eternal joy God has in store for those who follow his son. Like James and John, we are often preoccupied with our own hopes and dreams. We are too concerned with our security and comfort to hear our Lord call us to take up our cross and follow him. The true disciple, like Bartimaeus, throws aside his desires and follows a different path – the way of the Lord. The true disciple, like the blind man in today’s Gospel, tries to see more clearly so that he can base the truth of his life on that of Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Following along the way of the Lord involves a life-long process of listening to him call out to us and trying to see as he sees. Everything that happens in our lives is a part of God’s plan for us. Whether they be the painful experiences of sickness or job loss, struggles at home or school or work, the death of those close to us or the separation of dear friends, or the joyful moments of celebrating a birth in the family, a new friendship, getting that much-hoped-for job or new home, – all of these experiences – in fact, everything that happens to us at every moment of our lives – is intended to lead us closer along the way of following Jesus. Jesus asks us daily, “What do you want me to do for you?” And, as we are assured in today’s second reading, he deals with us with great patience. Let us answer that question correctly, so that we may have the insight to follow our Lord along the way in this life that leads to the endless and unimaginable joy of the next. That’s the correct answer to the question, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want you to lead me through the paths of this life to be with you forever in heaven.”