Homily for the Week of October 28, 2012

30th Sunday B - 2012 First Reading: Jeremiah 31:7–9 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 126:1–2, 2–3, 4–5, 6 Second Reading: Hebrews 5:1–6 Gospel: Mark 10:46–59 Most of us have lived in Northern New York much of our lives with the largest city being Plattsburgh or Burlington. When we think of the homeless we often identify them with cities like Albany, or New York or Montreal. But homelessness occurs in communities of all sizes. The homeless are persons without a regular dwelling or a house. They often are street people living in boxes or on park benches. They are most often unable to acquire and maintain regular, safe, secure, and adequate housing. These persons customarily beg for money or food from passers-by. Most of these persons suffer from the effects of our economy, of mental illness, dependence on drugs and alcohol, aging with little or no support. Yet, behind all of these facts and statistics, they are flesh-and-blood human beings living with the reality of not having a permanent place to call home. They, too, like us were created in the image and likeness of God. Now bring that scene 2000 years ago. You and Jesus are walking together after meeting him in Jericho just 18 miles from Jerusalem. On the side of road is a blind, homeless beggar who yells out to Jesus. Some with you try to silence him, but he calls out all the more. Because of the crowd, Jesus might not have been able to see the man. But Jesus hears him yelling out. Jesus finds out that his name is Bartimaeus. Jesus hears him say: Jesus, son of David, have pity on me. But Jesus tells them to have the man come to him. Bartimaeus comes to Jesus. Jesus' attention is turned completely to this person in need. Jesus and Bartimaeus get into a deeply interpersonal exchange and Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” He says to Jesus: I want to see. Jesus says to him: Go your way, your faith has saved you. Bartimaeus received his sight and followed Jesus. What Bartimaeus sought was something far more important than being cured from blindness. Bartimaeus teaches us about what Jesus really offers, and he teaches us how to approach Jesus with our needs This poor, blind homeless was the only one in this scene who recognized who Jesus is. His call to Jesus was an acclamation of faith. Bartimaeus was not traveling with Jesus to see signs and miracles as were the others. Bartimaeus had faith in Jesus. So Bartimaeus does not go away, but instead follows Jesus on the way. By throwing his cloak away Bartimaeus gave up all he had to follow Jesus. In Jesus' day, to have a handicap was an outward sign that one had been affected by sin, either their own or someone's within their family. Despite this, in most healing stories, family or friends bring the handicapped or sick to Jesus, asking that He intervene and give the person health. In every case, Jesus heals the person for the good of the whole community. Each healed person benefits, but somehow the healing serves all believers as well. We learn something more of Bartimaeus. ''He threw aside his cloak.'' It was the practice of beggars to spread out their cloaks and sit on them. Not only did the cloth keep them off the ground, but also a cloak made it easy for beggars to gather up coins thrown by those who passed by. When Bartimaeus threw aside his cloak, it meant he abandoned his dependence on the money and transferred his dependency to Jesus. As faithful Catholics, our ears must be attuned to the calls of those who are crying out for healing and reconciliation. In many instances we are the ones who hear the cry of friends or family members who call out for reconciliation and healing. In other instances, especially when one member of our family or parish community is especially weighed down by suffering, perhaps we can lead that person to a priest. But in my 50 years as a priest I have found that it is very, very often people like you who have led a person to me to seek spiritual help or healing. Many times persons need your eyes and ears and common sense to help those most in need to come to me for help. We must commit ourselves to working together to bring about healing and reconciliation. It is important to note what occurred after Jesus cured Bartimaeus. Our own share in the priesthood, given to us in baptism, demands that we as well come to know and understand all those around us. In coming to know people and the human condition, we become more compassionate and less likely to shun someone. With compassion, our first instinct becomes to serve someone's needs, not shun them. The lesson for us from the story of the blind man is that in his darkness he never gave up hope that one day he would be able to see the world as it is. Thus when Jesus came to him he was prepared to see. Jesus touched him and for the first time he SAW--- and the first thing he saw was the face of Jesus Christ. Now he could finally see the world for what it was -- a place where Jesus Christ lived. The man happily put aside the memory of his blindness and now seeing, began to follow Jesus down the road that led to the land beyond all times. So it shall be for us if we try our best to follow Jesus in this life. May the Lord forgive us for all the times we have asked for foolish things, rather than for the help to see better the road to salvation. Let us also pray to be a close friend of Jesus like Bartimaeus was. And then we too will hear Jesus say to us: What do you want me to do for you?