In St. Mark’s Gospel the disciples are portrayed as somewhat clueless — not getting what Jesus was all about. It is the blind, in the gospel, who really see who Jesus is, not the disciples. In Mark only the blind Bartimaeus calls Jesus “Son of David.” A good reminder that often it is the faith of the “simple people” that is truest. One part of the scene strikes me. Jesus asks Bartimaeus what he “wants me to do for you?” He answers, “I want to see.” What would have happened if Bartimaeus had a bigger request. World peace? Restoration of the nation? An end to slavery? How would Jesus have responded? Are we, like Bartimaeus, too focused on what we are going through as individuals and not seeing the bigger picture of the action and presence of God in the world?
JUNE12023
By Church Staff






