• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province

The Love that Compels

  • Migration
    • Statement from Passionist Leadership Regarding Current United States Immigration Policies
    • The Global Migration Crisis: What Can a Retreat Center Do?
  • Laudato Si’
    • Laudato Si’ 2023-24 Report and 2024-25 Plan
    • Ways to Live Laudato Siˊ
    • Sustainable Purchasing
      • Sustainable Purchasing Guide
      • Hints for Sustainable Meetings and Events
      • Sustainable Living Hints
    • Passion of the Earth, Wisdom of the Cross
    • Passionist Solidarity Network
    • Celebrating the Season of Creation
  • Pray
    • Daily Reflections
    • Prayer Request
    • Sunday Homily
    • Passionist Spirituality and Prayer
    • Video: Stations of the Cross
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
  • Grow
    • Proclaiming Our Passionist Story (POPS)
    • The Passionist Way
    • Retreat Centers
    • Passionist Magazine
    • Passionist Ministries
      • Preaching
      • Hispanic Ministry
      • Parish Life
      • Earth and Spirit Center
      • Education
      • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Passionist Solidarity Network
    • Journey into the Mystery of Christ Crucified
    • Celebrating the Feast of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Subscribe to E-News
    • Sacred Heart Monastery
      • History of Sacred Heart Monastery
      • A Day in the Life of Senior Passionists
      • “Pillars” of the Community
  • Join
    • Come and See Holy Week Discernment Retreat
    • Are You Being Called?
    • Province Leadership
    • Vocation Resources
    • Passionist Brothers
    • The Life of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Discerning Your Call
    • Pray With Us
    • Passionist Vocation Directors
    • World Day for Consecrated Life
    • Lay Partnerships
  • Connect
    • Find a Passionist
    • Passionist Websites
    • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Passionist Alumni Association
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Monthly Giving
      • St. Gemma Circle of Giving Intentions
    • Leave a Legacy
      • Giving Matters
      • Ways to Give
      • Donor Relations
      • Testimonials
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
    • Privacy Policy Statement
  • Learn
    • Our Passionist History: Webinar Series
    • Proclaiming Our Passionist Story (POPS)
    • Our Founder
    • History
    • The Letters of St. Paul of the Cross
    • The Diary of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Mission and Charism
    • Saints and Blesseds
    • FAQs
    • Find a Passionist
    • STUDIES IN PASSIONIST HISTORY AND SPIRITUALITY
  • Safe Environments

Daily Scripture, October 28, 2012

Scripture:

Jeremiah 31: 7:9
Hebrews 5:1-6
Mark 10:46-52

Reflection:

Today’s readings highlight the fact that God answers prayers and that he is always aware of our needs..  Whether it’s gathering the lame, blind and suffering people of Israel and bringing them home or Jesus’ curing the blind Bartimaeus, we once again meet our loving and caring God.  And along with the psalmist, we can all sing out:  "The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy."  We know that when one of us suffers, in some way, we all suffer, and when God heals one of us, we all share in the healing and hopefully, then, we are all filled with joy!

But it often takes us awhile to get there.  The natural feeling on the way is often a sense of hopelessness.  It’s easy to just see the suffering and give up on God. We may well ask, why does anyone we have to go through all the suffering.  It’s pretty easy to feel compassion for the Israelites described in the first reading – the blind, the lame and all those who are suffering and to understand how they must have been tempted to give up on God.   And in our own lives, we are tempted to ask, well If God is going to transform our pain into joy anyway, why not now?

That is where Bartimaeus teaches us an important lesson.  Although we don’t know too much about Bartimaeus, we can assume that he was blind for some time.  Maybe he was tempted to say, as he dealt with his blindness, if there is a God, how could he let this happen?  Or to just accept his lot and go his way.  But no, not Bartimaeus, he knew that there was hope in Jesus, and he was willing to speak out even when shunned by the crowd.  He was willing against all odds, to ask Jesus for help.  And Jesus answered.

As we begin this year of Faith, may our prayer be that we never shun those who are suffering and that we always have faith in God’s love for us as we call out to Him in prayer.

 

Mary Lou Butler is a long-time friend and partner in ministry to the Passionists in California. 

Footer

Support the Passionists

Contact the Passionists

Name

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province
660 Busse Highway | Park Ridge, IL 60068
Tel: 847.518.8844 | Toll-free: 800.295.9048 | Fax: 847.518.0461
Safe Environments | Board Member Portal | Copyright © 2025 | Log in