30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) - 27th October 2024

Readings

• First Reading: Jeremiah 31:7-9
• Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 125 (126):1-6
  • Response: “What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.”
• Second Reading: Hebrews 5:1-6
• Gospel: Mark 10:46-52

First Reading: Jeremiah 31:7-9

Summary: In this passage, the prophet Jeremiah shares God's message of joy and hope for the people of Israel. His words come across as blithe and carefree, until we realise that he spoke them on the eve of the utter destruction of the nation as it was dispersed into exile in Babylon. It’s the same in the Gospel, Jesus going to Jerusalem is bringing him to utter destruction on the cross. In both passages, the rescuing of those who are blind is the common sign of the power of God to save even in the worst of circumstances. It is meant to open our eyes.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 125 (126):1-6

Response: “What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad.”Summary: The psalmist celebrates faith in God following the restoration of Israel, likening it to a dream. There is joy, laughter, and praise. God has been at work, despite appearances to the contrary.

Second Reading: Hebrews 5:1-6

Summary: Like the high priest of old, Jesus acts on our behalf. He brings us to God. He does this from within the human condition, sharing our uncertainties and our lack of knowing. He didn’t need the formality of an official role in the Jewish religion. He has gone through our darkness so that we may know God’s light.

Gospel: Mark 10:46-52

Gospel Text: As Jesus and His disciples come to Jericho, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus sits by the roadside. Upon hearing that Jesus is near, Bartimaeus cries out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Despite being told to be quiet by the crowd, he calls out even louder. Jesus stops, calls him over, and asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus responds, “Master, let me see again.” Jesus tells him, “Go; your faith has saved you.” Immediately, Bartimaeus regains his sight and follows Jesus on the way.

Brief Overview: The story of Bartimaeus is a powerful example of faith and persistence. Though physically blind, Bartimaeus "sees" who Jesus truly is—the Messiah—and calls out to Him in faith. When others try to silence him, he cries out all the more. Jesus' response to Bartimaeus is one of compassion, healing him and affirming that his faith has brought about his restoration. Bartimaeus’s regained sight leads him to follow Jesus along the path of discipleship.

Historical Background: Jericho, the city where this miracle occurs, is one of the oldest cities in the world, located on the route to Jerusalem. At the time of Jesus, beggars were often seen as marginalised and ignored by society, and physical blindness was commonly interpreted as a curse or punishment for sin. However, Bartimaeus breaks through the stigma by openly calling on Jesus, the "Son of David," a messianic title, acknowledging Him as the promised King and healer.

Contextual Reflections: The courage of Bartimaeus to call out to Jesus, even when faced with rebuke from the crowd, stands as an example of persistent faith. He recognises his need and the one who can fulfil it. The crowd's attempt to silence him contrasts with Jesus' willingness to listen and respond. This Gospel calls on believers to be like Bartimaeus: persistent in seeking Jesus, clear in our need, and willing to proclaim Him as Lord despite opposition or discouragement from the world.

Bartimaeus' healing becomes a turning point; once he receives his sight, he chooses to follow Jesus "on the way." The path to Jericho is the path to Jerusalem and ultimately the Cross. In this sense, Bartimaeus’ journey is symbolic of discipleship: having our "eyes opened" to Jesus and following Him with faith, even through trials. The story comes at a key turning point for Jesus. He invites us to see God is still at work in him despite what will happen.

Connecting the Gospel to Today's Cultural Context: Those around Bartimaeus told him to be quiet. The modern world dismisses going to Jesus. It ‘scolds’ the religious spirit. Jesus asked Bartimaeus to say what he wanted. A model for prayer: Jesus also asks us to acknowledge what we need. The modern world encourages us to hide or gloss over our needs.

Miracles about blindness punctuate the first part of the Gospel according to Mark. This connects with the difficulty of ‘seeing’ (understanding/accepting) who Jesus is. Today’s culture discourages seeing the uniqueness of Jesus, despite the uniqueness of his claim. (No other authentic religious figure made the claim that Jesus made.)

The modern culture presents success as the measure of the ‘good life’. But for Jesus, the ‘good life’ seems to involve only the abject failure on the cross to which he is going in Jerusalem. Bartimaeus not only gains his sight; he appears to share this ‘insight’ because he now follows Jesus ‘along with way’ (the way that leads to Jerusalem and the suffering that implies). Jesus invites us to view our suffering in life in a way that the modern culture does not. As the responsorial psalm implies: we may be presently full of tears, but one day we will be full of song.

Themes for Meditation

• Faith that Perseveres: Take a moment to become quiet and still (perhaps focus on your breathing). Open yourself to God’s welcome to you as his beloved child. Call to mind a present joyful aspect of your life. Take time to acknowledge it and be thankful for it. Next call to mind an unpleasant matter in your life, particularly something ongoing. Acknowledge it and the need it brings up in you. Focus on how you respond to this situation and bring that to God. Recall Jesus and his trust in his Father. Ask for the faith that helps you to have the same trust and the same capacity to endure.
• The Gift of Spiritual Sight: Bartimaeus’s blindness and subsequent healing represent a deeper spiritual awakening. Consider what areas of your life need Christ’s light. Pray for the grace to see clearly the path of discipleship before you.
• The Call to Follow Jesus: After receiving his sight, Bartimaeus immediately follows Jesus. Reflect on your own discipleship. How are you following Jesus in your daily life? In what ways can you draw closer to Him?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, like Bartimaeus, we call upon You in our need. Open our eyes to Your presence in our lives and give us the courage to seek You with persistent faith. Heal our spiritual blindness and grant us the grace to follow You wherever You lead. Help us to see those around us who are calling out for mercy, that we may guide them to Your loving embrace. Amen.

Quotes for Reflection

• “We are not called to be successful, but faithful.” – St. Teresa of Calcutta
• “Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” – St. Augustine
• “The greatest honor we can give Almighty God is to live gladly because of the knowledge of His love.” – Julian of Norwich

Contemplative Action: This week, take time to identify one "blind spot" in your spiritual life or an area where you neglect to seek Christ’s healing (perhaps because you have given up hope of a resolution or change). Spend time in prayer, asking Jesus to open your eyes to His presence and to lead you on the path of discipleship. Consider offering support to someone who may be struggling or calling out for help, listening to them with compassion and leading them closer to Christ.

Further Reading: Saint of the Week

Saints Simon and Jude (Feast Day: 28th October)St. Simon and St. Jude were two of the twelve apostles of Jesus. Little is known about their lives, but they were faithful witnesses of Christ, spreading the Gospel far and wide. St. Jude is often invoked as the patron saint of hopeless causes, offering comfort and hope to those who feel abandoned or lost. Their joint feast day reminds us of the importance of apostleship and the call to spread the Good News with perseverance and courage.

Liturgical Calendar for the Week

• 27th October: 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (World Mission Sunday)
• 28th October: Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles (Feast)
• 29th October: Weekday in Ordinary Time
• 30th October: Weekday in Ordinary Time
• 31st October: Weekday in Ordinary Time
• 1st November: All Saints (Solemnity, Holy Day of Obligation)
• 2nd November: All Souls (Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed)

May this guide assist you in your homily preparation.