30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Readings: Jeremiah 31:7-9; Psalm 125 (126); Hebrews 5:1-6; Mark 10:46-52
Picture: Public domain image from Wikimedia Commons
My dear friends, does anyone still remember Master Po? Perhaps some of us may think of that beloved animated movie character. The giant panda, who rises from obscurity to become a great kung fu hero. But long before Po, the Kung Fu Panda, there was Po, the Shaolin monk. Also a fictional character and an expert in kung fu. But unlike his younger namesake, the older Po was blind. In a memorable scene (preserved on YouTube), Po meets the boy Caine for the first time. After impressing Caine with his fighting skills, Po speaks to him about blindness and sight. He says, Never assume that because a man has no eyes, he cannot see. Close your eyes. What do you hear? I hear the water, Caine replies. I hear the birds. Do you hear your own heartbeat? No. Do you hear the grasshopper, which is at your feet? Surprised, Caine asks, Old man, how is it that you hear these things? To which Po replies, Young man, how is it that you do not? An apparently disabled person, who proves more able than most. Able enough to show another the way to wisdom and a fuller life. Don’t we find something similar in our scriptures today?
In the first reading, God promises to save the people of Israel, including the blind and the lame. To rescue them from the desolation and despair of Exile. In particular, God promises to perform five key actions for their sake. To bring them back and to gather them, to comfort, to lead, and to guide them. Through these five actions, God will help them find and follow the path that leads to the fullness of life in God. And the second reading helps us see that this promise made in the first reading finds its ultimate fulfilment in Jesus. He is the anointed one, whom God has given the glory of becoming high priest. To show all who are trapped by the superficial cravings of this passing world, the Way that leads to freedom and fullness of life. The same Way that Jesus has been painstakingly teaching his disciples about in the gospel.
As we listen to the reading, it’s perhaps natural for us to be captivated by the blind man’s recovery of physical sight. But it’s also important for us to remember that, before Bartimaeus of Jericho, Jesus had earlier healed another blind man at Bethsaida. And all along the way from Bethsaida to Jericho, Jesus has repeatedly described in words the exact contours of the itinerary he himself is following. The Path he is blazing for his disciples. The Way that leads to life. Not just once or twice, but three times, the Lord has spoken of how the Son of Man is destined to suffer and die, before being raised to life. But his listeners are unable to grasp what he has been saying. Even though they are physically sighted, they prove to be spiritually blind. As we may recall, two Sundays ago, we heard how the rich young man’s many possessions prevent him from responding positively to Jesus’ call. So he goes away sad. Then, just last week, immediately after Jesus’ third prediction of his Passion, we found James and John jockeying for the best positions in the Lord’s kingdom, causing the other disciples to take offence at them.
In contrast, in today’s reading, the apparently disabled Bartimaeus proves himself more able than the others who came before. Despite his blindness, he is able to perform five crucially important actions. Amid the noise of the crowd, he is able to listen up for Jesus. Then, even though he is scolded by the others, he persists in crying out for help. Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me. Or, in another translation, have mercy on me. And when the Lord finally calls him over, Bartimaeus finds the courage to do what the rich man could not. He lets go of what is very likely his only earthly possession. He throws off his cloak, jumps up on his feet, and follows Jesus along the road.
Listening up and crying out, throwing off, jumping up, and following along. These are the five actions that the blind man models for us. Five steps that demonstrate his faith. Steps that we ourselves must take, in order to follow Jesus on the Way that passes through the valley of death, and on to the fullness of life. And isn’t it significant that these steps begin with listening? Listening out for the Lord, as he calls to us both through the inner stirrings of our own hearts, as well as through the cries of those who, like Bartimaeus, have been left stranded by the side of the road. Cries of suffering people, as well as of our ailing planet. Cries that challenge us to throw off the apathy and inertia that so often disable us. Cries that spur us to jump up and follow Jesus, along the Way of merciful faith-inspired self-donation.
Never assume that because (people have) no eyes, (they) cannot see… Close your eyes… Do you hear your own heartbeat?… Do you hear the grasshopper, which is at your feet?… Sisters and brothers, from both the beggar of Jericho and the monk of Shaolin, how might we learn to better listen and respond to the call of the Lord today?