What do you want me to do for you?

 Gospel Mark 10: 46–52

As Jesus left Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus (that is, the son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting at the side of the road. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout and to say, ‘Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me.’ And many of them scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he only shouted all the louder, ‘Son of David, have pity on me.’ Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him here.’ So they called the blind man. ‘Courage,’ they said ‘get up; he is calling you.’ So throwing off his cloak, he jumped up and went to Jesus. Then Jesus spoke, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Rabbuni,’ the blind man said to him ‘Master, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has saved you.’ And immediately his sight returned and he followed him along the road.

Lord, let me see again!

Gospel Reflection from St Beuno's Outreach

As always, I take my time to come into prayer.

Eventually, I turn to the Gospel text, and read slowly ...

Perhaps I imagine the scene ... hearing Bar maeus shouting out in desperation, even when told to be quiet ... and then how Jesus responds to his enthusiastic determina on ... how he calls him.

I take time to ponder ...

Do I notice the Lord passing by in moments of my life?

Have I ever felt the need for courage in going against the majority, as Bartimaeus does?

Perhaps I notice his movement as he sheds his cloak. Can I recall times in my life when I have thrown off  something in my desire to rush to the Lord?

Now I look to Jesus ... the Lord, who has ‘come to give sight to the blind’. He is full of respect and asks Bartimaeus what he wants ... what do I notice about Jesus who asks questions, and doesn’t ever presume?

I let Jesus ask me that same question. What do I want to say to him in reply? What is my deepest desire at this time?

Bartimaeus follows Jesus down the road (or in some other transltions, ‘along the way’ – an ancient name for being a Christian).

How would I like to respond to the Lord now, at the close of my prayer?