Mark 10 : 46 - 52
NRSV Translation
46-47 They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
48 Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
49 Jesus stood still and said, "Call him here." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart; get up, he is calling you."
50-51 So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said to him, "My teacher, let me see again."
52 Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
REFLECTIONS:
Thoughts from John:
Last week, James and John came to Jesus with the request: hey man, you’re going to be King of Israel soon. Make us #2 and #3 in your regime, please?
This week, a blind beggar invokes Jesus’ ancestor David, the greatest king in Israel’s history, with another request: mercy. please.
In Jericho, a city of wealth and prestige, the worth of this man barely matches that of a speck of pollen on the eye of a fly. He’s blind. He’s poor. He cannot contribute to the systems of influence. His life is evidence that he has done something wrong. He is not worth God’s time attention. He is not worth the crowd’s compassion.
But he sees. He sees Jesus better than the disciples see Jesus.
So Jesus stops. Offers mercy. Gives him what he desires.
And 2000 years later, we still know the name of a man who was worth nothing to the world. Because he knew the Messiah didn’t come for power, but came for mercy.
PRACTICE:
Outward Mindset Application
Are you aware of how your behavior impacts others? This week, ask for feedback from 3 other people whose roles or responsibilities depend on you.
Non-Violent Communication Question of the Week
What do you notice about your communication when you are angry, scared, or anxious? Does anything change?
What is a soothing word or phrase you can repeat to yourself in these moments?
Pathways toward Centeredness
Asceticism (Loving God by abstaining from comforts):
Do you find yourself craving any particular food or drink often? This week, when you notice your craving, see if you can keep yourself from indulging, and use the moment to focus your attention on God’s care for you.
Questions for Reflection
If you saw Jesus walk past you, how would you react? What would you say? What would you ask for?
Who in your world appears to have little to no value? What might you be able to learn about them and their story that expands their value to you?
“Liturgy” refers to the habits and practices humans use to form community around shared values and meaning. At Church at the Park, we desire to be a community of practice, becoming people who see the world through the eyes of the marginalized, making meaning through the lens of pain and suffering, and committing ourselves to non-violence in a wounded world. This weekly email is intended to provide pathways of practice for becoming the type of people who embody these values.
Many of our reflections on each week's text come from other sources. If you're interested in reading more of what inspires us, here our our two favorite reflections.
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