Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B

The Day When Jesus wasn't the Main Character

In this Sunday's Gospel, something unusual happens. Not just the healing of the blind beggar by the side of the road - there are similar stories to be found elsewhere in the Gospels - but in this case the man pleading for Jesus to have pity on him has a name. Right from the start of the story, before he first calls out to Jesus, Mark identifies him as Bartimeus. But why? Can we assume then that the early Christian community knows him? And that this is in fact Bartimeus' origin story.

Let's take a quick look at what happens to him. Bartimeus starts out on the sidelines in this story, but nonetheless cries out, "Son of David, have pity on me!" And among others, the disciples tell him to be quiet. In fact the text says that they scolded him.

"But he only shouted all the louder."

What a great, matter of fact description of Bartimeus' determination. He calls on Jesus and when he doesn't seem to get through, he calls on Him again, and again, and again. Until Jesus calls on him. "What do you want me to do for you?"

Then Bartimeus, who has not yet been healed, expresses a deep faith in Jesus calling him Rabbuni, a title of respect for a master one has committed themselves to following.

"Go. Your faith has saved you," Jesus tells him. But unlike the many unnamed figures in the Gospels that come to Jesus to be healed, Bartimeus doesn't go. He fulfils his commitment, getting up to follow Jesus.

Much of the emphasis we give to our understanding of the Gospel is that we should try to live a life in imitation of Jesus, and so we should. But reflecting on this text, we could do a lot worse than trying to live a life in imitation of Bartimeus too. In his need, he calls on God. In the face of those who would shout him down, he calls on God. And having encountered God, he immediately follows in Jesus' footsteps.

He is persistent. His prayer is succinct. And he is unshakeable in his faith. He is a model of discipleship.

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