Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51) The Gospel of this Sunday tells a story of a blind man named Bartimaeus calling out to Jesus for help. He was probably born blind but through faith he recognizes Jesus’ power to restore his sight. Through the eyes of faith, we too affirm that God can do the impossible. We are invited to call out to Jesus in our time of need, not doubting but trusting that no matter what we are going through Jesus is as close to us as a prayer. Professing our faith in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, we can call on God and tell him our needs.
In the Gospel of Mark, we encounter the disciples who have been with Jesus through these years and are still not sure of Jesus’ identity. In this Sunday’s Gospel we encounter a blind man who puts his faith in Jesus whom he may have only heard people speak about. In listening, his faith is strengthened and he risked calling out to the Lord. People may have wanted him to be quiet but he was ready to take the risk. With the eyes of faith, Bartimaeus received more than his sight. He received greater faith. What can we receive with renewed vision? What is the need that makes us cry out to Jesus?
“Lord, I want to see” shouts Bartimaeus! He wanted his sight but he may have also want see all those who said they have faith but their conversations showed that they still doubted. Listening by the side of the road, Bartimaeus probably heard a lot from those who said that they have faith. In his vulnerability, Bartimaeus saw this as his moment to commit himself through faith to the one who can rescue us from both physical and spiritual blindness.
Imagine how many people today really want to see. For some reason, they are blinded by advertisements, Television, their egos, and even a lack of faith. Through the eyes of faith, we are able to see more than we could ever imagine. “Have mercy on me” is the prayer of faith. With my eyes opened I both see and hear the Lord calling me to a more abundant life. If nothing more, living through this Coronavirus pandemic, we have learned a lot about staying connected with family and friends, leaning on our faith, and seeing others as Christ sees them. These are the things that matter the most. “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.”