"The Lenten Pilgrimage" - Day 34

Saturday, March 27th  

     “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 he regained his sight and followed him on the way.”

        Mark 10:49-52

    In Mark’s Gospel, the story of Jesus restoring the sight of Bartimaeus comes immediately before Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem that signals the beginning of Holy Week for the Christian Church. 

     In many church sanctuaries tomorrow, palm branches will be waved as the start of Jesus’ final week leading up to the cross will be commemorated.  

      But before we wave our palm branches we recall the blind man who would not be silenced, who would not give up, who called on Jesus’ name repeatedly as he stubbornly held onto hope in Jesus.  Bartimaeus provides a good model for us, especially when we are tempted to give up, give in and throw in the towel.  

       So let’s hear it for the mom who won’t stop praying for the wayward child, for the husband who keeps working for a reconciled marriage, and for you when you absolutely refuse to stop calling on Jesus’ name…

Prayer 

     Lord Jesus, grant us the tenacity of Bartimaeus.  Grant us a faith that will not stay silent. 

     Help us not to grow weary in seeking and knocking on heaven's door.  We confess that

     sometimes our faith is more shallow than deep, and we are more impatient than

     trusting, and often we are sometimes tempted to give into frustration when our prayer life

     doesn't seem to be yielding fruit.  Help us to hang on, and to furiously hold fast to our faith. 

     Christ of the cross, enliven and embolden our trust in you.  In your name we pray.  Amen.