Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
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October 24, 2021October 24, 2021
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jer 31:7-9
Heb 5:1-6
Mk 10:46-52
GROW AS A DISCIPLE | PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE
GROW: How often do we pray with abandon? Perhaps when turbulence makes us wonder if our plane’s going down, when a friend or loved one faces a difficult diagnosis or life-threatening injury, when we face a setback, a major decision, or a heartbreak. On some days, though, have we been guilty of just going through the motions when we pray? Not so for Bartimaeus. “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me,” he repeatedly implores, ignoring the shushing of the crowd. When Jesus asks him what he wants, the blind man doesn’t beat around the bush. “I want to see.” Recognizing his faith, Jesus heals him. Bartimaeus could not see, yet he had recognized Jesus as the Messiah and persisted in prayer. His example reminds us to be persistent in prayer, holding nothing back from Jesus who desires to make us whole.
GO EVANGELIZE | PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, ACCOMPANIMENT
GO: While Bartimaeus faced physical blindness, this did not prevent him from recognizing Jesus as the Son of David, the Messiah. In our modern-day world so filled with distractions, we can become blind to the face of Jesus, or simply take his abundant love for us for granted. As the psalmist reminds us, “The Lord has done great things for us. We are filled with joy.” Looking back on our lives, we can probably see a few miracles – the birth of a child, the stunning beauty of a sunrise over the mountains or the arborvitae in our backyards, the friends who walk alongside us through each chapter of life. Today’s readings encourage us to open our eyes to the face of Jesus in our lives, and in turn to reflect his steadfast love to those we encounter.
ACTIONS: Read today’s psalm response: “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.” Reflect on the people and experiences that have brought you closer to God – friends, family, a priest, for example. Write them a note or say a prayer of thanksgiving.
