Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Twentysecond Sunday after Trinity. Our Church Services today are at the usual times of 9.15 am at St Agnes' and 11 am at St Thomas'. If you are unable to be with us in person, you'll find resources below to worship at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "Breathe on me, Breath of God"
Today's Gospel
Mark 10:46-52Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight
Jesus and his disciples came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?”
The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
Reflection
In our reflection today, we look at the story of blind Bartimaeus. It is a story of active faith and belief but there is much more to it than that.
We do not know how old Bartimaeus was, but it is generally assumed that he was at least in his middle ages. Similarly we do not know if he was completely blind, however, we can assume that he was not born blind because he asks to be able to see again.
So we have the story of someone who, in his younger days, would have been able to work and do normal things, that has been afflicted with a problem affecting his sight and that in turn has resulted in him losing his livelihood and becoming a beggar and an outcast.
To us in modern day society, the majority of us maybe take our gift of sight for granted. We can get regular eye checks and if we are long or short sighted it is relatively quick and easy to get contact lenses or glasses from as little as £10. If there is something more seriously wrong, regular eye examinations allow opticians to identify this in the early stages and hopefully take early medical action.
Sadly there are still some people who go blind and when we consider them, it hopefully reminds us just how precious our eyesight is.
For Bartimaeus in the first century he would not have been so lucky, hence his downfall and change in circumstances. Like many he falls to bottom of the pile in society through no fault of his own. He is sat on his cloak, which would serve as both a cushion and also essential protection from the cold nights – probably his most precious possession, and he hears the commotion of the crowds as Jesus approaches.
He has no doubt heard of Jesus’ reputation for mercy and healing and calls to him, only to be hidden and crowded out by others who look down on him. They probably thought that as a beggar he didn’t even have a right to be near Jesus. But Bartimaeus had strong faith that Jesus would rescue those in need. We need to be clear here that faith is not about being well versed and articulate in the scriptures and being able to quote chapter and verse in the Bible, it’s about belief in our saviour. Bartimaeus was resilient in his faith and persists in shouting to Jesus until he is heard.
When Jesus hears Bartimaeus, he does not go to him and neither does he call out for Bartimaeus to come to Him. Rather, he tells those who have been trying to keep him away that they should call him and bring him to Jesus. This is an example of how the prophesy in Jeremiah above is fulfilled, where people from all over the world will be united in God’s family, including the lame and the blind.
Moreover, it is a call to all of us to be inclusive and to help rather than shun people who are afflicted in any way.
I think there is also a more subtle message as well. Everyone is deserving of Jesus, as Christians the last thing we should do is try hide others from Him or keep Him for ourselves. We are called to share the good news and not obstruct how God works in the world where He chooses to work.
When Bartimaeus was allowed to see Jesus he became a follower and went with him all the way to Jerusalem and the cross. That opportunity and his active faith was all he needed to become a devoted member of Jesus’ followers and community. He left behind his most treasured and important possession to follow Jesus in faith. This is in stark contrast to the ‘rich young man’ [Mark 10], who we read about 2 weeks ago, who went away unhappy and grieving when Jesus told him that the way to enter the Kingdom of God was to give his money to the poor.
When we think of vision we normally think of eyesight but it can also refer to what vision we have of the future. If Jesus were to ask you, ‘what do you want me to do?’, What would you reply? Might you perhaps ask for a clearer renewed vison of a better world, or a different way of seeing the world based on faith, love and trust in Jesus. Paul
Our Prayers
Loving Father,
We pray for those who are looked down on by others and
for a better world where all people feel included and valued.
Lord, let that vision of hope start with us,
and bless us with the active faith that Bartimaeus showed.
Amen
Today's final hymn is "The Spirit Lives to Set Us Free"
