Dear Parishioners,

Reflecting on the first reading from Jeremiah and on the gospel, we can see that God does not leave any one out. God’s plans for hope and for healing really are for everybody.

In the reading from Jeremiah, the prophet is full of joy because he sees that God will save his people, they will be rescued from the place where they have been taken in exile and returned to their home, to the place where they feel safe: Everybody, the blind, the lame, the woman with child. Even these ones who are vulnerable, who need help, who are needy in some way they too will be rescued.

It always strikes me reading the story of Bartimaeus how we don’t hear anything about what Jesus did in Jericho that day, what he taught. But the gospel writer chooses to shine a light on Jesus’ meeting and healing of almost invisible, ignored person on the side-lines, as he leaves the city.

Other people try and silence Bartimaeus’ pleading, praying, shouting and perhaps that’s what we sometimes say ourselves, don’t make a fuss, or try to switch off hearing the needs of others when we don’t know how to respond. But Jesus picks out Bartimaeus’ voice in the noise and chaos of the crowd, and takes time to help him articulate his cry. It is interesting that whilst elsewhere Jesus affirms that the Father knows what we need before we ask him (Matthew 6;8), the story of Bartimaeus emphasizes the importance of expressing, articulately: ask and you will receive.

Sometimes we exclude ourselves, saying this doesn’t apply to me, I’m not important enough. Sometimes we exclude others, simply do not see them. In a way both these attitudes are a kind of blindness, there is something that is stopping us see the whole picture, that we, that each person is loved and noticed by God. I invite you to reflect, where is my blindness? And to discover like Bartimaeus that you are seen, noticed, listened to by God. This experience can heal us too. Bartimaeus, when he can see, gets up and follows Jesus. At the beginning he is sat down, at the side of the road: his blindness makes him stuck. But his healing means that he is able to move forward. 

To follow Jesus is to see as he sees, to notice and include everyone, whatever their gift whatever their needs.  

Have a Blessed New Week and God bless you all.

Catherine Cruz, FMVD