SAINT JUSTIN, MARTYR (MEMORIAL)

Jesus is calling you.

All four Gospels recount Jesus healing men who were blind, but only Mark identifies one by name: Bartimaeus. We meet him today as he is begging along the road to Jericho. In Hebrew, his name could mean simply “son of Timaeus,” but it could also mean “son of the unclean.” By including Bartimaeus’ name, Mark places special emphasis on him and may even point to all the “unclean” people Jesus wants to heal and restore—people like us. Let’s take a closer look.

First, Bartimaeus calls out for help. He has faith that Jesus can heal him. So he cries out, not once, but twice, “Son of David, have pity on me” (Mark 10:47, 48). Ironically, this blind man “sees” more clearly than most people that Jesus is God’s chosen Messiah.

Second, hearing Bartimaeus’ cries for mercy, Jesus stops and calls him (Mark 10:49). In response, Bartimaeus springs up and goes right to him (10:50). Abandoning his only protection and perhaps his only possession, Bartimaeus casts off his cloak to come close to the Lord.

Third, Jesus not only restores Bartimaeus’ sight but gives him salvation as well. And in the end, Bartimaeus doesn’t continue on his way. Instead, he follows Jesus and becomes his disciple (Mark 10:52).

This story can give us hope. Why? Because Bartimaeus tells us not to be ashamed to ask God for help. He tells us to believe that Jesus will hear us every time we cry out to him. And he tells us to trust that Jesus will welcome us. Just as Jesus heard “unclean” Bartimaeus and brought him close, Jesus hears us and calls us to himself so that he can heal us, cleanse us, and make us whole.

St. Josemaría Escrivá once wrote, “Our Lord is seeking us at every moment.” Can you hear Jesus calling you today? Come to him with faith in his mercy. He won’t push you away.”

“Jesus, Son of David, I come to you. I trust in your mercy.”

Sirach 42:15-25
Psalm 33:2-9
Mark 10:46-52