St AmBrose parish 

 

In today's beautiful Gospel, Jesus heals a blind beggar in Jericho named Bartimaeus (Sunday October 24th 2021, Mark 10:46-52). Two things leap out of the story:

First, Jesus does not simply impose himself on the blind man, who cries out "Son of David, have pity on me." Jesus must have know what he wanted, but first he asks Bartimaeus, "What do you want me to do for you?" In other words, Jesus does not decide to simply "get on with it" and heal him. Instead, he treats Bartimaeus with infinite dignity and listens to his desires. It's another reminder that God wants to know our depest desires.

Second, in a large city towards the end of his ministry, when he would have been surrounded by huge crowds, Jesus stops to meet an individual person. He is never too busy to help someone in need, even if he himself is surrounded by people or on his way elsewhere. Something similar happens in the story of the healing of the 'woman with the hemorrhage," while he is on his way to heal Jairus's daughter. Again, Jesus stops for an individual in need.

Jesus is never too busy to encounter someone in need, listen to them and help them.
 

God Bless you all and take care!!

Rev. Martin Fleming
Parish Priest Woodend/Romsey & Lancefield.