Mark 10: 46-52
As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Name What You Need
Bartimaeus is the physical embodiment here of the phrase “walk by faith and not by sight.” He is literally blind, but his sight is not necessary for him to recognize Jesus’ presence. If only our own senses were so finely tuned, yes?
What strikes me is his courage to ask Jesus directly for healing without hesitation. We too are allowed to be specific in our prayer. Even insistent. And persistent. The crowd near him tries to quiet him, perhaps embarrassed by hearing his desperate request spoken aloud. But no one is more or less worthy of prayer and connection; we each have the opportunity to recognize and name the healing we seek.
Be brave today in asking God for exactly what you need.
—Kristy C. Parrish works at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and is the former principal of Immaculate Conception School in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Prayer
Lord, you tell us to ask for that which we desire. Help us to recognize where we are most in need of your grace and your healing, and name that to you. May we have faith that you will give us exactly what we need. Amen.
—Jesuit Prayer team