THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Gospel: Mk 10: 46-52
As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.
DO YOU REALLY SEE? Bartimaeus, a blind man and the son of Timaeus was extremely happy and grateful to Jesus for giving him sight. As a sign of true appreciation to Jesus, he followed him (Mark 10:46-52) and never again wanted to be far away from his healer. At baptism Jesus gave us sight so that we do not have to struggle to know the direction towards God. He invited us to follow so that we continue to cherish His grace. Are we still following Jesus? Can we really claim that our blindness totally disappeared and we see clearly? The sins in our lives make us blind. Let us continue to repent and see the light. Let us also help those who are blind around us, so that Jesus may help them see.
PRAYER: Lord help me to be near to you always and to see your glory.
Anthony was born in Salient in Catalonia, Spain, in 1807, the son of a weaver. He took up weaving but then became a diocesan priest. Later wanted to be Jesuit. Ill health prevented his entering the Society. In 1849, he founded the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, known today as the Claretian Missionaries. From 1850 to 1857, Anthony served as the archbishop of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. He was called back to Spain to be the confessor of Queen Isabella II. Was forced to go into exile in 1868 due to the political situation and his closeness to the Queen. In 1869 and 1870, Claret participated in the First Vatican Council. He died in the Cistercian monastery of Fontfroide in southern France on October 24, 1870.
DAILY GOSPEL 