Reflection for Thursday June 1, St. Justin, martyr (M): Mark 10:46-52

Gospel: Mark 10:46-52

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” 

And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.  So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you. 

He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you? The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see. Jesus told him, ‘Go your way; your faith has saved you. Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

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Reflection:

What is persistence and faith? It’s the act of not giving up no matter the great odds against us. We will continue to pursue what we want because we believe deep in our hearts that God will be with us and God will help and hear us. 

The blind and poor man Bartimaeus had this very mindset. All the odds were stacked against him in his desire to have an encounter with Jesus. He was blind and poor, had no power and influence yet when he heard that Jesus was passing by he mightily shouted, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me (Mark 10:48).” 

 Bartimaeus was rebuked and told to keep silent but the more that he persisted on calling Jesus. What made bartimaeus persist? What made him believe that Jesus would hear him as He passed by? Bartimaeus has great faith in Jesus, he believed deep in his heart that Jesus would hear and heal him.     

Ironically, Bartimaeus was blind, therefore he did not see Jesus performing miracles. But Bartimaeus believed even if he did not see Jesus doing miracles! It was enough for Bartimaeus to hear the powerful name of Jesus to believe that he would be healed. 

By his deep faith and persistence Bartimaeus gained the attention of Jesus. And during that very moment Bartimaeus was healed thus he regained his sight. This is what faith in Jesus can do for us. 

For as long as we will not give up on Jesus no matter the difficulties and the odds against us miracles would happen to us. Perhaps its healing from our sickness, perhaps it’s the granting of our persistent and faith filled prayers and the like.    

How persistent are you in your desire to have an encounter with Jesus? How persistence are you in your desire to get closer and to be healed by Jesus?  Do you always pray? Do you always attend Holy Mass? Do you have daily time to read His words in the bible? – Marino J. Dasmarinas