Lessons from the Healing of Bartimaeus

I am always intrigued by the story of blind Bartimaeus. Imagine this man-blind, maybe abandoned by any family he may have had, a beggar on the street hearing about Jesus, and thinking, “If everything I have heard about this man is true, he can cure me! He can take away my blindness!”

Make Some Noise

Bartimaeus does not just sit there, quietly hoping that perhaps Jesus will notice him as he passes by. When he finds out that Jesus is walking by, he makes some noise. He wants to be noticed: “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me!”

Sometimes, being loud can get you places. He wants Jesus to see him. This blind man cannot see, of course. The only way Bartimaeus knows about his world is through his hearing and other senses. What grabs Bartimaeus’ attention is what he hears, so to grab Jesus’ attention, he makes some noise.

Being Heard

Jesus hears Bartimaeus, and the message passes through the crowd, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you!” He gets up and goes. However, he cannot go to Jesus unless people lead him there, or unless he can hear Jesus’ voice, because he cannot see.

Jesus heals him, and tells him, “Go on your way.” Bartimaeus follows Jesus. Jesus becomes his way. Imagine this: the first face he ever sees is the face of Jesus. “Now I will recall God’s works; what I have seen, I will describe.” (Sir. 42:15)

Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

A whole universe opens to Bartimaeus. He can see the world around him! Yet, he keeps his eyes on the first thing he has seen. He keeps his eyes on Jesus. The world he has wondered about throughout his blindness pales in comparison to the Lord. What did he see in the face of Jesus to catch his interest? “Yet even God’s holy ones must fail in recounting the wonders of the Lord…” (Sir. 42: 17).

What did Jesus see in the sightless eyes of Bartimaeus? “How beautiful are all his works! Even to the spark and fleeting vision! The universe lives and abides forever; to meet each need, each creature is preserved. All of them differ, one from another, yet none of them has he made in vain, for each in turn, as it comes, is good; can one ever see enough of their splendor?” (Sir. 42: 23-25)

[Readings: Sir 42:16-25; Mk 10:46-52]