Discernment: What Bartimaeus Teaches Us

In today’s Gospel, Mark 10: 46-52, Bartimaeus, a blind man, realizes that Jesus is passing by.  He calls out: “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.”  The crowd tries to quiet him, perhaps believing that he is not worthy of Jesus’ attention.  He cries out even louder.  Jesus says to the crowd: “Call him.”  At Jesus’ command, they say to him: “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.”  Jesus looks upon Bartimaeus with compassionate love and asks him: “What do you want me to do for you?”  In faith, Bartimaeus expresses his need:  “Master, I want to see.”  Jesus tells him that his faith has saved him. Bartimaeus’ sight is restored at that moment and he follows Jesus.

This story teaches us some important discernment skills:

1.       That we need to be aware of the noises around us

2.       That we need to recognize Jesus in the midst of the noise and in that or those who

crowd out Jesus’ presence in  our lives

3.       That we need to take ownership of our neediness

4.       That we need to know what it is we want of Jesus

5.       That we need faith—a faith that believes in Jesus’ willingness and ability to save us

 from our blindness