The WORD today inspires me to have faith like Bartimaeus.
One of my favorite movies is Facing the Giants. In one scene, there was a story about two farmers. Both of them desperately needed rain, so they prayed to God for rain. But only one farmer prepared his field to receive it. Who showed greater faith? Of course the one who prepared his field. God will send rain when he’s ready or when the time is right. Question is, are we prepared to receive it?
God wants to see us with that level of faith.
Sometimes we pray. We ask from God but we do not really believe that what we pray for will come true. Sometimes we don't have faith - faith in him, faith in his word, faith in his power, faith in his goodness, faith in his love.
This is contrast to the blind man in the gospel - Bartimaeus. He showed much faith. Great faith in Jesus. Being a blind person, he begged by the roadside. Probably he was really desperate, but definitely not hopeless. When he heard that Jesus passed by, he gave all he got and shouted to get Jesus’ attention. When asked by the people to shut up, he did not lose hope, his spirit was not dampened, instead, shouted louder. Makulit sya.
Minsan kailangang maging makulit sa panalangin.
When he was called by people, not Jesus, he showed even greater faith. Even if Jesus was not the one personally called him, he knew that being summoned by Jesus would forever change his life. What did he do? From sitting by the roadside, he threw his cloak and sprang up to Jesus.
Wow, what great faith!
During those times, beggars lived in the streets. Probably his cloak was his most important possession – not because it was expensive or beautiful, but because it helped him a lot. It protected him from the weather, from the heat of the sun or the coldness of the wind, his cloak was a big help. His action throwing away his cloak and running to Jesus was like saying “Goodbye cloak, I won’t be needing you anymore! This Jesus will cure me, and I won’t be blind anymore!”
He had full faith in the power of Jesus, and he was not disappointed. Indeed, no one leaves the presence of Jesus unchanged.
In life, we will not always get immediate answers to our prayers. We will not immediately get great results. However, this should not dampen our faith. In the same way that Bartimaeus was not stopped by the people and circumstances, so should we. God is faithful, and will not abandon those who cry out to him in full faith.
How about us? How do we react when we don’t seem to get what we want in the first try? Do we get angry or lose hope, or are we like the blind man whose faith was unwavering? What do I pray for right now? Do I have faith that God can grant me that? Do I have faith that he wants to, if it is according to His plan for me? Am I willing to take a leap of faith? When God gives me what I pray for, do I remember to thank Him and live my life following Him?
May we be inspired by his faith, and may we do our best and ask God to increase our faith.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for your beautiful message. Thank you for reminding me that you do not disappoint. Thank you for reminding me how powerful and loving you are. Thank you for reminding me of how important faith is. Lord, help me improve my faith. May I have faith like Bartimaeus. When faced with challenges or when I don’t get what I pray for, may my faith get stronger and still do my part. May I be brave enough to take a leap of faith, knowing you are there to guide and catch me. And Lord, when you give me what I pray for, may I never forget to thank you and live my life serving you. Amen
Blessed day!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflections:
May 27, 2021
Thursday of Week 8; St. Augustine of Canterbury
FIRST READING
Now will I recall God’s works;
what I have seen, I will describe. At God’s word were his works brought into being; they do his will as he has ordained for them. As the rising sun is clear to all, so the glory of the LORD fills all his works; Yet even God’s holy ones must fail in recounting the wonders of the LORD, Though God has given these, his hosts, the strength to stand firm before his glory. He plumbs the depths and penetrates the heart; their innermost being he understands. The Most High possesses all knowledge, and sees from of old the things that are to come: He makes known the past and the future, and reveals the deepest secrets. No understanding does he lack; no single thing escapes him. Perennial is his almighty wisdom; he is from all eternity one and the same, With nothing added, nothing taken away; no need of a counselor for him! How beautiful are all his works! even to the spark and fleeting vision! The universe lives and abides forever; to meet each need, each creature is preserved. All of them differ, one from another, yet none of them has he made in vain, For each in turn, as it comes, is good; can one ever see enough of their splendor?
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R. (6a) By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp; with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises. Sing to him a new song; pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness.
R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
For upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
By the word of the LORD the heavens were made; by the breath of his mouth all their host. He gathers the waters of the sea as in a flask; in cellars he confines the deep.
R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all who dwell in the world revere him. For he spoke, and it was made; he commanded, and it stood forth.
R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
ALLELUIA
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
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.
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