WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU?
Fr. Marcel Emeka Okwara CSsR
Homily for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
October 25, 2009
Today we hear another powerful story of the power of faith and persistence. It is the story of a blind man named Bartimaeus who received healing from Jesus due to his persistence and expression of faith in Jesus to cure him. Bartimaeus believed that the Son of David is able to bring newness into his life. Today’s healing is a roadside healing. It is a roadside demonstration of faith; it is a roadside expression of pity on the side of Jesus.
Today’s gospel taken from Mark 10: 46-52 says that Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and accompanied by a sizeable crowd. As they walked to their destination, the blind Bartimaeus who sits by the roadside begging heard the tramp of their feet and asked what was happening and who was passing. It is important to mention here that Jesus was on his way to the Passover. Now when a distinguished Rabbi or teacher was on such a journey it was the custom that he was surrounded by a crowd of people, disciples and learners, who listened to him as he discoursed while he walked. That was one of the commonest ways of teaching. When Bartimaeus heard the strong movement of people, he knew that an important Rabbi was travelling by the road. He therefore asked who was passing and was told that it was Jesus. There and then, the blind man caused an uproar. He started shouting and screaming loudly “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me.” But the people around rebuked him to be silent, but the blind man was not ready to let this opportunity pass him by. He therefore shouted even louder “Son of David, have pity on me.” This time, he distracted Jesus. He got the attention of Jesus. “Call him,” said Jesus. When Bartimaeus was brought to Jesus, the Lord asked him “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus may have been stunned by the question of Jesus; he may have even reasoned “Jesus, are you crazy? Can’t you see I am blind and needed sight? But his answer to the question of Jesus was “Master, I want to see.” At this point Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” He immediately received his sight and instead of going away, he followed Jesus on his way.
Some people have always wondered why they should pray when God already knows what they want. It is true that God already knows what we need, but in the gospel we just read, Bartimaeus still asked Jesus for help. Any standby watcher would easily conclude that Bartimaeus wants Jesus to restore his sight; still Jesus asked him “Who do you want me to do for you?” It is possible the blind man wanted money; it is possible he wanted a house; it is possible he wanted even a wife or something else. The needs of a blind beggar would naturally be many. But the man wanted something that has been a huge hindrance to him. He wanted the restoration of his sight. Jesus knew everything about people; he knew Judas was going to betray him; he knew about Nathanael under the fig tree (John 1); he knew the woman in Samaria has had five husbands before her present partner (John 4). Jesus knew about Bartimaeus. He didn’t need to be told he needed his sight restored yet he still asked him. Bartimaeus also did not need to tell Jesus about his condition, but by telling Jesus he was preparing himself to receive the gift of having his sight restored. God knows our needs. He knows what we want in life. Prayer is not about informing God what our needs are. He already knows about them. Instead prayer is for our benefit, not God. Prayer prepares us to receive what God wishes to give us.
From today’s powerful story we can see many of the things which we might call the conditions of miracle:
- The blind Bartimaeus was persistent in his asking. Despite the shout-down and abuse he got from the people around him, he refused to be discouraged. Nothing that time would stop him from coming face to face with Jesus. He was utterly determined to meet the one person who can change his life. He was determined and desperate to encounter Jesus. The more the pull-him-down (PHD) people shout down at him, the more he shouted even louder. At last, he won. He got the attention of Jesus. He got his healing; his sight was restored.
- His response to the call of Jesus was immediate and eager. As soon as he was told that Jesus was calling him, he threw aside his hindering cloak and ran to Jesus. Bartimaeus did not wait; he rather ran to Jesus the source of life. Many people hear the call of Jesus, but says, “Wait until I have done this,” “Wait until I have finished or accomplished that.” As soon as Jesus called, Bartimaeus did not waste time. Certain chances happen only once.
- Bartimaeus knew precisely what he wanted- “Master I want to see.” Too often our admiration for Jesus is a vague attraction. The man with a back pain wants the doctor to deal precisely with his back pain. The woman with a toothache wants the dentist to extract the diseased tooth not any tooth. It should be so with us and Jesus. And for us to deal with Jesus that way it requires what most people consciously and unconsciously avoid, that is self-examination. Self-examination makes it possible for us to tell Jesus precisely what we want.
- Bartimaeus called Jesus “Son of David.” Now the title “Son of David” is an inadequate notion or idea of Jesus. The title was a Messianic title. It regards Jesus as a conquering Messiah, a military Messiah who would lead Israel to national greatness. That was a very inadequate idea of Jesus. But despite Bartimaeus inadequate idea of Jesus, he had faith. His faith made up his inadequate conception of Jesus. As Christians we will never fully understand Jesus. But what is demanded of us is faith. Christianity begins with a personal reaction to Jesus, a reaction of love, a feeling of here is the one person who can meet our need.
- What did Bartimaeus do after his sight was restored? He followed Jesus along the road. When the Gospels said that someone followed Jesus, it means they became a disciple of Jesus. Bartimaeus may have been a blind beggar by the wayside, but he was a man of gratitude. Having received his sight, he followed Jesus. He did not selfishly go on his way when his need was met. He began with need, went on to gratitude, and finished with loyalty. That is a perfect summary of the stages of discipleship.
