Call Out

A Reflection on the Gospel for October 24th, 2021:
​Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Mark
10.46-52

As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.

Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.”

Immediately the man regained his sight and followed Jesus on the way.
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Crowds can be a finicky bunch. From a distance they appear as one, but interior disposition can be difficult to ascertain.

Jesus knew crowds better than anyone. For Him, they were a relentless reality. Yet He rarely dismissed them, save the coming of day's end. Jesus came to reach all God’s people. He knew crowds were necessary for the time being.

Imagine the crowd’s first response to Bartimaeus’ cry: Who are you to bother Him? Don’t make a scene. Be quiet!

Yet in response to Bartimaeus’ cry, Jesus “stood still.”

Do you remember those moments from childhood when a teacher paused in silence and waited? They wanted your attention. Jesus effectively draws the crowd's attention to Himself by doing so. But instead of calling Bartimaeus, Jesus asks the crowd to call him. He's pointing out that crowd members are not present only to passively observe or purposefully detract from His mission.

This elicits a small conversion in the heart of the people. Their response becomes entirely different: Take heart! Get up! He is calling you! Courage! But Jesus wants more. He will make an example of Bartimaeus not only to change Bartimaeus’ life, but to show the crowd they need this moment too.

What does Jesus want us to notice about Bartimaeus?

Firstly, his disposition. I imagine Bartimaeus has been through a lot. Maybe he has spent many years working through his reality to come to a place of acceptance and humility. Sometimes we need time to wrestle through that reality to accept that God alone can help us. Bartimaeus has come to a place where he is not ashamed to call out for Jesus, even repeatedly, in his need. 

Secondly, his response to the call. Imagine a blind man springing up. This itself is a miracle. A man who cannot see runs toward healing and salvation. He is directed not by sight, but by a heart full of faith, hope, and expectation.

Finally, what he asks for. Bartimaeus does not take this moment to place blame for his predicament. He’s not asking to walk away with sight for his own comfort or glory. Bartimaeus wants to see. He earnestly wants to be well, and believes Jesus can do it. Through faith, he gains not only what he wants, but everything he never knew he needed.

I have spent a good portion of my life asking Jesus for the wrong things. Some of those prayers sound similar to Bartimaeus’, but often come from a place of fear, grasping, woundedness or lack of trust. At times, when I attempt to call out to Jesus, I can hear the detracting voice of the crowd inside my own head. Sometimes, I hold back because I am too proud or afraid.

I am one in the crowd, finicky as I may be. I am following Jesus, needing Jesus, needing to encourage others to go to Jesus. I need to witness Bartimaeus' faith, to give me courage to call out and spring to my feet. Jesus is standing still, waiting for me to ask for what I need.




​Michelynne Gomez
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