Take Courage, Jesus Is Calling You!
Dear Parishioners,
A persistent cry of Bartimaeus, a blind street beggar, gained the attention of Jesus and restoration of his eyesight. It was a courageous display of perseverance of a man who wanted something more from Jesus. He could no longer be left at the mercy of an uncaring crowd. He refused to be silenced. He knew that Jesus would not ignore his cry.
In appealing to the mercy of God, Bartimaeus reached out to Jesus. He recognized him as the Son of David. In essence he publicly acknowledged him to be the Messiah, which was what many people (especially Jesus’s disciples) were even afraid to admit. It took a blind man, whose life was reduced to street begging to see what others did not see nor have courage to proclaim. He said it all; as a result it merited him healing and membership to the discipleship of Jesus.
This blind beggar teaches us that in God’s plan the people who are left by the wayside of life will no longer be overlooked. How many times have we chosen to ignore the poor, the beggars or even rationalize our inability to help them? How many times have we turned our faces away when someone knocks on our car window, stands at the street corner or rings our doorbells? Sometimes insecurity and fear forces us to look the other way, or be less sympathetic. Whatever the reason may be, today’s gospel speaks to us in way that challenges us.
Are you sitting by the wayside too, waiting for Jesus to pass by? Is there blindness that makes you unable to know and serve the Lord properly? We are more sorely in need of light than ever before. There are clouds of moral darkness in our culture and society, and the light of faith seems to be fading out quickly. There is so much confusion and blurring of moral guidelines in our society. Vices are celebrated with impunity and virtuous life is pushed aside. Good people are discouraged and overwhelmed.
However, no matter how deep and how long darkness persists, it cannot obscure the human heart from longing for the light and hope that God gives. For God made it for himself, to know him, love him, serve him and be with him in heaven. This blindness is destined to be removed. Bartimaeus, in crying out to Christ, leaped into his own destiny of light, happiness and personal faith. Therefore, we should not be afraid to ask for God’s help. We should be open to tell him what we want. Jesus asked the blind Bartimaeus “What do you want me to do for you.” His answer was straight forward and simple: “Master, I want to see.”
It is amazing to see the humility of Jesus. He placed himself at the disposal of the beggar, letting him express his wish. The blind beggar had faith in Jesus, and it paid off. Jesus is the face of God’s mercy. If you trust him, he unleashes the power and energy that brings restoration. Let us not allow the crowd, or secular philosophies to drown our faith in Jesus, the Son of David. We must have that inner conviction and perseverance. Pray to the Holy Spirit, ask for his generous gifts. He will fill our hearts and enkindle them with unshakable trust.
Like the blind man we must jump and respond. We must not go back after we have encountered Jesus. We should not be afraid to abandon ourselves to the Lord, for he knows the way. We should be sensitive and lend a helping hand to those left in the margins of society. Jesus knows what it means to be overlooked. He understands human weakness and struggles. He is our high priest who stands before God on our behalf. In God’s plan, the people who are left on the wayside of life will be overlooked no longer. Have faith in him.
Sincerely Yours In Christ,
Fr. Vitalis Anyanike, Pastor
