The miraculous cure of the blind Bartimaeus teaches us that the true source of happiness is found in seeing with the eyes of faith.
Gospel of Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
46 As Jesus was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging.47 On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” 50 He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. 51 Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man replied to Him, “Master, I want to see.” 52 Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Him on the way (Mk 10:46-52).
I – End of the Captivity of Sin, by the Offering of the Eternal Priest
In the first reading of this Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Jer 31:7-9), Jeremiah, often a prophet of calamities, shows himself to be a prophet of the resurrection, of glory and triumph, in proclaiming to the Chosen People the end of the Babylonian captivity. However, while he foresees future events, he is unable to interpret the most profound meaning of what he says.
In foretelling the return of the exiled Jews to a life of liberty, he unwittingly traces a prefigure of the great liberation later brought by Our Lord Jesus Christ. With humanity redeemed from the clutches of Satan and sin, the haughty dominion of evil on earth during the Old Testament was vanquished. Thus, the prophet affirms: “Shout with joy for Jacob, exult at the head of the nations; proclaim your praise and say: The Lord has delivered His people, the remnant of Israel. Behold, I will bring them back from the land of the north; I will gather them from the ends of the world, with the blind and the lame in their midst, the mothers and those with child; they shall return as an immense throng” (Jer 31:7-8). The Lord’s people to whom Jeremiah refers is not limited to the exiled Jews in Babylon, the “land of the north,” but embraces all of humanity that pined for salvation.
Likewise, there is a clearly symbolic connotation to the terms “blind” and “lame”. The blind are those who have closed their soul to the supernatural, a blindness worse than visual blindness, and the lame are those who lack the will to practise virtue, and who live outside the state of grace. To these the Lord promises: “They departed in tears, but I will console them and guide them” (Jr 31, 9), as happened when Our Lord came to earth, for He alone carried us all on His shoulders, leaving our miseries behind.
In fact, as St. Paul teaches in the second reading (Hb 5:1-6), the Divine Saviour became our intercessor, Eternal Priest, intermediary between God and men. For this sacred office, He was not taken from the race of Aaron, the priestly lineage of the Old Testament, but rather from the line of David, showing that His priesthood did not come from blood but from the Father, who said to Him: “You are My Son: this day I have begotten You” (Hb 5:5). In order to represent us before God, He participates in all the frailties of human nature, with the exception of sin; however, as Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, His words are law and He possesses full power to pardon our transgressions. Priest par excellence, He remains eternally at the right hand of the Father, imploring that we may convert and ask pardon, though we deserve to be punished for having abandoned Him.
Thus, the two readings lead us to consider how God desires our salvation with an infinite love, as we see in the vivid episode, filled with lessons, narrated in the Gospel of this Sunday, which we will now consider.
II – Physical Blindness in a Luminous Soul
Our Lord went up to Jerusalem, having declared that He would be arrested there, judged by the Sanhedrin and condemned to death on the Cross, but that He would resurrect on the third day. Despite this clear, thrice-repeated announcement, the Apostles did not assimilate His divine words, being prevented by a problem of faith: they gave much more credence to their human vision than to the Master’s teachings. Their eyes, averted from the realities of faith, were trained on the political situation and the prospect of recovering the supremacy of the Jews on the earthly plane. This was well shown in the previous Sunday’s Gospel, in which St. James and St. John express concern over the position they would occupy in the eventual temporal government of Jesus (cf. Mk 10:35-45).
The Saviour was not able to convince them, for, in the view they have formed of Him, the human component suffocates the divine. Without recognizing the approach of the Passion, they were caught up in the prospect of Palm Sunday, anticipated as a socio-political event that would precede the coup to take hold of power as King of Israel.
In these circumstances, they come upon a blind man. This occurrence is symbolic, for nothing that happens around Our Lord has just one meaning. On the contrary, such is the multiplicity of meanings that we will spend all eternity in Heaven probing the significance of the episodes related in the Gospel, while simultaneously contemplating new aspects of God at each moment, for in the beatific vision everything is known of Him, but not in its entirety.
Physical blindness is oppressive, and one of its most poignant consequences is that of having to constantly rely on others, since the blind lack the necessary light to guide themselves. We get a taste of this when we find ourselves in total darkness, as would happen if, for example, while driving on an unpaved road on a moonless night, the electrical system of the car were to fail. But for the blind, this situation is permanent; darkness accompanies them everywhere, as does uncertainty regarding their surroundings.
However, in this Gospel, the poor man had a considerable advantage over the privileged ones who accompanied Our Lord. In physical darkness, estranged from social interaction, he was oblivious to the plots of the political game that so fascinated the others. Therefore, in various zones of his soul he was ready for an encounter with the Lord.
A blind man known from all eternity
46 As Jesus was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging.
Our Lord left Jericho accompanied by a multitude, which indicates that His visit to this city had made a strong impact on public opinion. The reports of the Evangelists are succinct with no leeway for exaggeration. The use of the expression “sizable crowd” shows that Jesus drew many people after Him, whose reactions are evidently geared around Him.
Not very far from the gate of Jericho, on the roadside, they encountered a blind man, most likely from birth, whose name was Bartimaeus, that is, son of Timaeus. Who was Timaeus? Perhaps St. Mark knew him. However, his offspring, who had never been with Our Lord or even seen by Him with human eyes, was known by the God-Man from all eternity and his name has gone down in history.
Because of the large crowd eagerly accompanying Our Lord, the blind man soon noticed that something unusual was afoot. At that time, the misfortune of being blind implied that one could not work and assure one’s upkeep. The blind commonly resorted to arousing the compassion of others in order to receive enough alms to get by. Although beggars were normally treated with contempt, it occurred to Bartimaeus to take advantage of the great influx of people to make a little money.
A long-awaited encounter
47 On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.”
As often happens with those who lose their sight, Bartimaeus’ other senses were particular acute, especially his hearing, and undoubtedly he had heard something of Our Lord and His innovative teachings and prodigies. He was enthused with this new Prophet, and his faith grew each time he caught news of Him, similar to what occurs with the muscles of a newborn child, that are strengthened as it takes nourishment. Aware that the only solution for his case was a miracle, the desire to meet that Man became more and more vehement…
The crowd advanced more or less quietly, for surely Our Lord was conversing along the way, and everyone hung on His holy words. Bartimaeus could then hear that Jesus was passing by. This was enough for him to start shouting. If blindness prevented him from knowing the exact whereabouts of the Master, His proximity was indicated by the pressing in of the throng. Perhaps he distinguished in the midst of that crowd a majestic, serious and melodious voice, which indicated the One he had awaited with such faith.
Without seeing Him, he recognizes the Messiah
48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.”
It is interesting to note that Bartimaeus had heard Our Lord referred to as “the Nazarene”, a somewhat depreciatory title due to the smallness and relative insignificance of the small city of Nazareth, held in little regard even among Galileans (cf. Jn 1:45-46). However, he uses the name “Son of David” for the Divine Redeemer, which is fitting for the Messiah, a sign that he already believed in Jesus’ mission. Moreover, the perspective of Israel being above the other nations and of the Messiah being a great temporal leader meant nothing to him, for due to his isolation he did not enter into these purely earthly speculations regarding the Expected one of the Nations. Therefore, this act of faith free of human considerations lent greater merit to his request.
Paradoxically, because the Apostles had a distorted Messianic outlook, as mentioned above, this acclamation, coming from someone considered to be a poor outcast without status in Jewish society, was unwelcome. If it had come from an individual with religious or social influence among the people, then they would have considered it auspicious…
For this reason, Our Lord always repressed those who acclaimed Him as Messiah. The completely erroneous conception of the Jews gave this figure a political profile, with which He did not wish to be associated. In this way, He also avoided stirring up the hatred of the Pharisees before the time established by the Father.
On this occasion, however, as He was going up to Jerusalem for the last time in order to be put to death, there was no need for such prudence, and Jesus let Bartimaeus speak at will. His first cries must have caused consternation among the crowd and they let him know that he should be quiet. With little regard for the instinct of sociability, he “kept calling out all the more,” for he was gripped with the desire for a cure and, with an ardent soul filled with faith, he believed that Our Lord could grant it.
An act of formal surrender to Jesus
49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” 50 He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.
Contrary to expectations, Our Lord had the blind man who had proclaimed Him to be the Son of David summoned. At that moment, a corridor must have formed and, while the crowd watched with curiosity, a certain suspense was created. Those in attendance, realizing that they had to heed the desires of the Master, summoned him to come forward. Perhaps some thought the Redeemer would rebuke the poor blind man…
A beautiful scene then unfolded. Upon being called, Bartimaeus did not think twice: he threw off his cloak, sprang to his feet and went to Jesus. While the practical purpose of this gesture might have been to disencumber his walking, it undoubtedly also contains lofty symbolism. The cloak of a blind beggar could not have been worth much. Yet, it was all he had… he owned nothing else. And he left this pittance behind, so that it would not impede him. He wanted to appear before Our Lord unhampered and with humility. There is more; a person wearing a cloak is in the position of being served rather than serving. Thus, by removing this garment, he expressed his desire to dedicate himself entirely to the One before him.
The cloak, therefore, signified the old man, the attachment to one’s interests and egoism, while springing up demonstrated the readiness to leave everything and hasten to be with the Lord. We need to go to Him, without even waiting for Him to come to us.
To see with the eyes whom he had already seen with the heart
51 Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man replied to Him, “Master, I want to see.”
Now close to Our Lord’s, Bartimaeus must have knelt and, with his hands clasped, cried out once again: “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.” Then the Saviour asked him what he wanted, even though He knew from all eternity. At this moment, others might have urged Him: “Lord, take over power and resolve the problems of the nation. Fulfil your plan as Messiah”… when, actually, they only longed to accomplish their own plans.
In a very different manner, the blind man no longer calls Him Son of David, but Master, indicating that he was there to honour His authority as a disciple, and he boldly implored Him: “I want to see – Ut videam.” These words imply that he was blind from birth, for he did not say: “I want to see again.”
52 Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Him on the way.
Our Lord’s response before granting Bartimaeus his sight contains an important lesson. God has infinite power to attend us, but He usually sets a condition: belief. Accordingly, He says: “Your faith has saved you.”
The reaction of the fervent blind man was magnificent. Once he was cured, he did not leave Our Lord to look for his relatives or to gaze at the landscape that everyone had told him was so beautiful. Nor did he go to the house of some friend or look for employment, so as to sustain himself. He was not concerned with any of this! He stayed near Jesus. This shows that in the depth of his soul his desire was not merely to see, but specifically to see Our Lord. His carnal eyes let him plainly behold what he had already contemplated with his heart. Before seeing with his eyes, he had been enthused for the Master and was entirely focused on Him. Now that exterior vision accompanied the interior and he could move around by himself, Bartimaeus left everything. It is not even said that he went back to get his cloak. Our Lord set out on His journey once again and he “followed Him on the way.”
This is what we should do when we receive the miracle of grace within us. We should leave everything and follow the Good Jesus along His way.
III – In Our Blindness, Let Us Take the Example of Bartimaeus
Considering the wonder worked in Bartimaeus, we can easily comprehend why spiritual blindness is worse than physical blindness. If a choice had to be made between being fervent and blind, as he was, or having sharp eyesight but little faith, we should choose the first, for those who have faith, even if they see nothing on this earth with their physical eyes, will enjoy perfect vision in Heaven.
This reality may be clearer if, in this edifying Gospel episode, we imagine another person whom St. Mark did not describe. He would possess not only excellent vision, but also abounding wealth. Nevertheless, when Our Lord attended Bartimaeus, he would become irritated with this deference and, worse yet, in witnessing the miracle, would take it as a farce. Because of this attitude, the words “Go, your faith has saved you,” would resound in his ears as: “Go, your revolt has destroyed you.” And, shortly after, he would become blind! Yes, in this hypothetical scene, the one with sight and many possessions would become blind, and the one who was blind would see. This outcome would be related to faith, for before reaching this point, each would have undergone a long process of decadence or cultivation of this virtue.
This consideration prompts a question: which process is taking place in us, that of Bartimaeus, or of the imaginary character? If our worldview precludes eternity, it amounts to nothing more than darkness.
St. Thomas explains1 that, while God is supremely visible, we cannot see Him because of an insufficiency in our senses, which are incapable of apprehending His most lofty, perfect and essential nature. We are, in the presence of the Creator, like bats in relation to the sun, who do not use their eyes, but only their specialized ears to guide them. Such is our faith. Even though we are blind to God in this life, through faith we can sound out His realness. When we go to Heaven, faith will blossom into vision and we will contemplate Him in His own light.
Until this happens, we must proceed as Bartimaeus. He did not see Our Lord with his physical eyes, but valued what he did know of Him so as to construct a vision of the Messiah that was closer to reality than many of His disciples. In the same way, those who in this life love the true light that is God, have a burning desire to contemplate Him in the next, and, accordingly, are constantly concerned with advancing towards this vision. They keep their ears open to hear the footsteps of the Son of the David and insistently ask Him for the grace to see Him face to face.
Like Bartimaeus, while we are not yet in Heaven, in addition to being blind we are also mendicants, totally dependent on the “alms” that we receive! In fact, what do we gain through personal effort? We are not capable of saying a single prayer with supernatural merit, except on account of the merits of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
God takes the initiative to seek out the blind
Our Lord, the Eternal Priest interceding for us at every moment, as St. Paul writes in his epistle, takes the initiative to come our way. For our part, what is needed? Simply to shake off our indolence and have the same spiritual response that Bartimaeus had: to spring up, go to Him and ask Him with complete confidence to help us. Jesus is ready to open our eyes and to sanctify us.
Thus, the big obstacle to our complete transformation is ourselves. He, for His part, is constantly asking each one of us: “What do you want Me to do for you?” We only need to say: “Lord, I want to be holy” and He will provide the rest. This is our vocation, our destiny; let us not reject it! “Lord, I want to see! May I see Thee not only on this earth with the eyes of faith, but above all in Heaven, where I will spend eternity singing Thy glories and giving thanks for everything that I received from Thee.”◊
