TEXT: The Holy Gospel According to Saint Mark 10:46-52
This story of an actual event has always been of interest to me, because of the "evangelistic fervor" that surrounded this potential convert who was earnestly seeking Jesus of Nazareth the Son of David.
Of interest is the possible meaning of the name, "Timaeus" - "polluted"
With this in mind one can sense a message in the reaction of the disciples to this "polluted" man who obnoxiously sought after Jesus, repeating the same thing over and over again - without any shame.
After all, why could not this beggar and blind man simply not bother anyone with his minor needs and just "fade into the woodwork" and be a "nice little beggar and blind man" and not bother those who were involved in great ministries for our Lord Jesus Christ?
There are many "polluted" souls who come in their blindness and bother us, beloved.
There are many sons of Timaeus who interrupt our good ministerial efforts and take our time away from the "important ministries" we have to do for our Lord Jesus... right?
Well, not so fast!
Hear what Jesus says and does --
46 And they came to Jericho; and as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great multitude, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside.
Jericho, as you may remember was one of the cities that housed another untouchable, Rachab, the harlot (who just happens to be one of the "upstanding" women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus along with Bathsheba, Tamar and Ruth the Moabite)
It seems that God makes it a practice of finding the "worst people" for his best purposes. Indeed, God's strength is made perfect in our weakness.
After all, God chose you and me. What can we boast of when we really (I mean really) look closely at our sinful pasts?
So, it is with all of us - sinners whom God has rescued by grace and mercy.
Timaeus was persistent!
47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
What an annoyance.
Red in the face - they tried to silence him and make him be still and just listen to the procession.
I wonder what would have happened if this son of Timaeus had listened and remained silent? We would never have heard of him, that's what! He would have just faded into the woodwork and never have become this great example of persistence!
A polluted soul cries out to God and even when those ministers of his who do not want to be bothered by such obnoxious behavior shun this one - and Jesus says -- "Come to me."
He speaks to the man through his disciples who have just tried to shut him up. What a lesson for us!
49 And Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart; rise, he is calling you."
50 And throwing off his mantle he sprang up and came to Jesus.
Here is one that is willing to throw all aside and jump up, gropingly, running to Jesus Christ!
How many are like this?
When I was coming to the Church there were those who thought me to be to "noisy" about it.
I wanted IN!
I wanted to come to the Eucharist!
I was very hungry and very thirsty!
There were those who insisted that it was not even necessary for me to become a Catholic! But, I knew better - I wanted Jesus in the Eucharist and the fullness of Faith that I had ignored and been blinded to for many years.
Finally, like this son of Timaeus, I heard the words -- "Take heart; rise, he is calling you." And, I RAN to the Church as fast as my legs could carry me. I am still a weak soul and have little strength - but, I know my Jesus is strong and will carry me through as he does others.
51 And Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" And the blind man said to him, "Master, let me receive my sight."
Let us all remember this - that we come to Jesus lost and we are found in him.
We come blind and polluted - but, Jesus gives us sight and cleans our souls.
We come weak and God makes perfect his strength through us.
It is the work of God - God's Mercy... not our feeble strength that saves us!
Are we cooperating with the grace of God like this son of Timaeus?
He ran and offered his blindness and dirtiness, and, God gave him a new life!
52 And Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.
Thanks be to God alone!
How can we make this truth come Home to roost in our souls?
Is this not the calling for all mankind?
So, beloved of God even when you are far away from him wanting to come back and people are even blocking you from saying too much about it -- Take heart; rise, he is calling you. - GET UP - HE IS CALLING YOU!
Jesus our Mercy