WHAT TO YOU WANT JESUS TO DO FOR YOU?

 

Homily for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke (Schoenstatt Fathers)

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

 

 

On this thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the gospel reading is on the encounter between Jesus and the blind son of Timaeus. Jesus is still continuing his journey to Jerusalem. This time around, he was leaving Jericho, meaning that he was already close to Jerusalem as Jericho is some miles away from Jerusalem. As he journeyed on the way with his disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar seated on the roadside heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth and began to shout, Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me (mark 10:46-47). He did not see Jesus as a result of his blindness, but he heard about him. He was physically blind but not spiritually blind. He had the inner sight of faith. It was the inner sight of faith that made him hear it was Jesus and to recognize that in Jesus laid the power to heal and save (the Messiah).

As he cried out in a loud voice, the crowd that followed Jesus including the disciples, scolded him to be quiet (Mark 10:48). They saw him as a nuisance. But the more they tried to silence him, the louder he shouted until he was able to get Jesus’ attention. The blind man was undaunted. He refused to be intimidated by the crowd. He did not allow the voice of opposition to overshadow his voice of truth. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be a link between Jesus and the people and not to prevent others either through our actions or inactions, from getting to Jesus.

When he eventually got Jesus’ attention and was invited by Jesus to come, we are told that he threw off his cloak, jumped up and went to meet Jesus (Mark 10:50). His cloak was his shelter from the sun and the rain as he laid on the roadside begging. The cloak was to him a valuable and precious property. But when the call to follow Jesus came, he threw it off without delay. He did not allow his comfort zone or his most valued commodity come in between him and the call to follow Jesus. Today, Jesus is calling out to us too. What is that one thing that you find very hard to part with in order to follow Jesus? Last two Sundays, we read about the rich young man who was not ready to part with his wealth in order to gain eternal life (mark 10:17-31). To adequately respond to the call to follow Jesus, we must be ready to leave some things behind- pleasure, possessions, habits, lifestyles, acquaintances and what have you.

When the blind man eventually met Jesus, Jesus did not ask him a dismissive question- what do you want? He asked him a personal but a probing question- what do you want me to do for you? (Mark 10:51). The way we treat those who come to us looking for help really matters a lot. You will recall that in the gospel reading of last week, Jesus asked this same personal question to James and John when they came to him. In response, the two sons of Zebedee asked for personal ambitions (Mark 10:35:45). But in the case of the blind man, aware of his disability, blindness, limitation, he asked the Lord to make him see again (Mark 10:51). His blindness hindered him from following Jesus and he asked Jesus to give him that which will make him his better follower. While Jesus did not grant the request of the sons of Zebedee, he however granted that of Bartimaeus and even called him a man of faith. Most often, our prayers requests are not granted because we ask amiss (James 4:3).

Today, Jesus is also asking us personally, the same question that he asked James and John and now, Bartimaeus. What do you want Jesus to do for you? Whatever we ask of him goes to show our values and priority. Like Bartimaeus, let us present our needs to Jesus, in faith. We are told that that immediately the blind man received his sight, he followed Jesus. Let us ask for the things that will make us better followers of Jesus. Let us ask for the things that will make us realize the mission that Jesus has entrusted to us. May God open the eyes of our mind to discern properly, the requests to make of him. Amen.