Gospel: Mark 10:35-45
Jesus is traveling with a sizable crowd. But such a large group of people does not keep him from responding to the cries of Bartimaeus, a blind beggar on the side of the road. Jesus chooses to move to the periphery of the crowd and to go against the crowds’ desire to leave Bartimaeus alone. Don’t bother with this poor blind person.
But Jesus chooses to listen to the cries of the poor and invites Bartimaeus closer to him, much like Pope Francis invites us to the periphery. Jesus, as the prophet Jeremiah in our first reading, desires to touch those who need some consolation or healing. Jesus is there to lead the poor and needy to brooks of water hoping that none will stumble on the way. Through His tender touch He incarnates the Father’s love for those who are willing to move against the crowd and ask Jesus to have pity on them. May we do the same.
Sister Maria Kruszewski, CSFN
