Reflection
Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you”! Bartimaeus had waited in faith a long time to hear these words of hope! Jesus also calls each of us to step out of our comfort zone, take off those blinders of fear and prejudice that keep us from seeing and responding in faith to the needs of those who cry out for mercy and love. Our world is in deep pain and suffering! War and violence, hunger and poverty, a general disregard of our fellow human beings, seem to be infiltrating our homes, communities, and world.
Jesus says,
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
-John 8, 12
Physical blindness can be very scary. As a person who has lived with sight challenges from an early age, I worry about the physical limitations that may come with aging. At the same time, I trust in the words that Jesus promises his followers in faith that he will be that light that guides us along the path that he calls us to walk.
It seems to me the question before us as people of faith is in what ways are we being blind to seeing the love of Christ in our lives and in the lives of those around us?
In the first reading from 1 Peter today, we are reminded that we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. We cannot be people of the light with our eyes closed. We cannot work to alleviate the pain and suffering that surround our world in these days when our eyes are closed. As people of the light we are called to be open to seeing the face of Christ in all people on both sides of the divide we find ourselves in.
In faith and with eyes open, let us walk with each other in peaceful actions to tear down the walls of hatred and injustice. Led by the power of the Holy Spirit, may we take seriously our responsibility to support our leaders in church, community, and nation as we all work together to spread the light of Christ. May we be people of faith and perseverance as was Bartimaeus as we live in the light of Christ. Amen.
