Mark 10: 46 - 52 

We exclude people in different ways and for different reasons on the basis of faith, ideology,caste, rich and poor, etc. As a result of this many people are thrown to the peripheries of the society where no  activity takes place. The gospel generally shows Jesus giving value to those who had no value. He  transforms  the periphery into a center of his activity. In doing so he not only restores their honour but also helps people around him to see beyond themselves

The above passage speaks about Jesus restoring sight to the blind Bartimaeus and also inward sight to the followers. This is the last miracle recorded in the Gospel of Mark.

1)The blindness of the followers:

Bartimaeus is typically a sidelined person sitting at a place strategically located outside the city gate, meant for the nobody's of the society. Knowing that it was Jesus he raised his voice, the people around him are quick to remind him that he is nobdy of the society (10:48). He is urged not to believe that Jesus is for him by the voices in the group who tell him to cease his petition. The inward blindness of the followers of Christ forbade them in seeing the need of this man beyond themselves. Manya times we become so engrossed by our self desired ambition that we are blind to the needs of  the people around us and deaf to their cry. Are we a stumbling block?

2) Faith transcends barriers

Faith is an ability to see beyond the present situation. Though physically blind Bartimaeus recognized who Jesus is - the promised Messiah. Upto this point except for Peter none of the followers recognized the true identity of Jesus. Seeing 'who Jesus is'  is the goal of faith. He lacked eyesight  but he had inward sight.  Blindness was a crises in his life but  he understood that every crises  has an opportunity. He found a new way out. He realized that his eyes are blind but his voice is strong and he uses it to the best he could without getting discouraged. And it yields positive results. This is faith. In faith there is a divine fulfillment of what is expected or hoped for. We many a times mourn on what we do not have, but Bartimaeus challenges us to look into ourselves and discover the great potentials hidden within us and use it in a positive way.

3)Setting priorities in life

When Christ asked Bartimaeus what he needs his response is very challenging, "let me see again". His petition is very different from that of James and John (10:37). He asks not to be seen but to see the Lord and the beauty of Lords creation, not for honour but for vision, not to rule over others but to join them. True faith calls us to look with ordinary eyes upon the ordinary world, yet do so in such a way that our vision becomes extraordinary because it recognizes that we are surrounded by the extraordinary.At the beginning of the narrative we see Bartimaeus - son of honour,  begging beside  the road. But when he looks at Jesus with the eye of faith his honour is now fully restored and he joins the disciples in following Jesus on the way to dishonour and shame.

Recognizing the blind spots within us help us to set our priorities right 

Are we a stumbling block or a stepping stone?

Let the prayer of St. Richard of Chichester strengthen us in our walk of faith

Day by day, O dear Lord, three things I pray,

To see thee more clearly,

Love thee more dearly and

Follow thee more nearly,

Day by Day, Amen