Sunday, October 26, 2003
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

1st Reading: Jer 31:7-9

For Yahweh says this: Shout with joy for Jacob;
rejoice for the greatest of nations.
Proclaim your praise and say:
"Yahweh has saved his people,
the remnant of Israel!"
Look, I will bring them back from the land of the north, gather them from the ends of the earth, the lame and the blind, mothers and women in labor-a great throng will return.
They went away weeping,
they will return in joy.
I will lead them by the streams of water, on a level path so that no one will stumble,
for I am Israel's father
and Ephraim is my firstborn.

2nd Reading: Heb 5:1-6

Every High Priest is taken from among mortals and appointed to be their representative before God to offer gifts and sacrifices for sin. He is able to understand the ignorant and erring for he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he is bound to offer sacrifices for his sins as well as for the sins of the people. Besides, one does not presume to take this dignity, but takes it only when called by God, as Aaron was.

Nor did Christ become High Priest in taking upon himself this dignity, but it was given to him by the One who says: You are my son, I have begotten you today. And in another place: You are a priest forever in the priestly order of Melchizedek.

Gospel: Mk 10:46-52

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar, Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth passing by, he began to call out, "Son of David, Jesus, have mercy on me!" Many people scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he shouted all the louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called the blind man saying, "Take heart. Get up, he is calling you." He immediately threw aside his cloak, jumped up and went to Jesus.

Then Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said, "Master, let me see again!" And Jesus said to him, "Go your way, your faith has made you well." And immediately he could see, and he followed Jesus along the road.

Commentary

"Master, let me see again!" Experienced doctors say that, when a patient has a strong will to live, he is already half-cured. If, on top of that, he has faith in his doctor's competence and is ready to obey him in everything, then the chances of recovery are very much increased. Bartimaeus has an overwhelming desire to be healed, and furthermore, his faith in Jesus is total. This is enough to heal him. Likewise, in spiritual life, a strong desire to follow Jesus all the way and a great faith in him can cure us of our blindness (arrogance, self-centeredness, sensuality, sloth). Such a desire and such a faith are obtained in prayer. (Guillmette, A Kingdom for All, p. 88)

Read also: • Gospel Reflections by Fr. Gerry Pierse, C.Ss.R.
          • Biblical Commentaries fro Diario Biblico

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