From the Associate Pastor
How many of us recognize our spiritual blindness? How many of us reject and discriminate against people who come to Jesus to be healed? How many of us believe that Jesus can heal us of our spiritual blindness and we don’t ask Him in faith? Unfortunately, there are many Catholics with spiritual blindness and we believe that we can move forward on our own. We may use all kinds of emotional and psychological help, and in the end, we fail. And when those means don’t work, we end up doubting God and ourselves, living a sad, bitter, and depressed life. Jesus is always within the reach of everyone who seeks him with their heart and with great faith; He is always seeking us out to heal us, not only from spiritual blindness but also from any ailment or disease.
In the Gospel of this Sunday, October 24, Saint Mark tells us about the miracle of how Jesus heals the blind Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus, a blind man, was sitting by the road. When he learned that it was Jesus of Nazareth who was passing by, he began to shout: “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me!”
Many reprimanded him to keep quiet. But he screamed even louder. Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” They called the blind man and he approached Jesus. Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied: “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him: “Go, your faith has saved you.” Immediately he regained his sight and began to follow him (Mark 10: 46-52).
The faith, insistence, and perseverance of blind Bartimaeus invite us to always trust in God, even if many times we feel that we can no longer go forward, we want to throw in the towel or drown in a glass of water. Bartimaeus overcame any obstacle, adversity, and rejection on the part of those who followed Jesus. He doesn’t care about what they say; he only seeks the miraculous healing of Jesus; and by his faith, he was not only healed but also saved. Why don’t you and I try and see, as Bartimaeus did? Why are we ashamed to present ourselves to Jesus as we are? If Jesus already knew us before we were born and knows what we need to be happy and fulfilled, why don’t we invite him to walk with us every day? Do we not do it because we believe we are self-sufficient?
Let us put aside self-reliance, pride, and arrogance, and approach Jesus with a simple, humble, and contrite heart. Let’s open our hearts so that Jesus can enter our lives to be with us at all times. Having Jesus as our best and intimate friend makes everything more bearable and enjoyable. When we are going through problems, illness, adversity, fear, or anguish, let us invoke the help of Jesus and he will always help us to move forward. May we take the blind Bartimaeus as an example and inspiration every day. Let us always trust in the mercy, compassion, goodness, and love of God. Let us acknowledge our spiritual blindness and ask God to heal us so that we can better see him, feel him, and touch him. “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.” Amen.
Peace,
With love and respect, Father Alberto Villafan, ofm.
Associate Pastor
Mission San Luis Rey Parish
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