The figure of blind man Bartimaeus is presented to us as the ideal picture of the disciple, ready to be with the Lord in suffering and death as well as in the Resurrection. But Bartimaeus follows the Lord only after he has received new light for his eyes, a symbol of Christian baptism which in antiquity was also called "illumination". The story of Bartimaeus is a healing miracle story that has been rewritten by Mark as a story of faith. Read the article you find here and use the following as your guide for reflection.
1. Mark has rewritten a healing miracle story into a story of faith, that of Bartimaeus. The blind man heard that Jesus was passing-by and so he began to cry out: "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
Reflect. Bartimaeus was sensitive to Jesus presence; he must have been waiting for Him since when he heard that it was He, the blind man started calling out to Him. The Lord's passing by in our life is hidden from our sight. But like Bartimaeus, we can or should "hear" it. How sensitive are you to the Lord as He passes by daily in your life? When someone tells you about it, is your reaction like that Bartimaeus?
Exercise. Sit in a comfortable position and after quieting yourself down, use Bartimaeus' prayer as your own: "Son of David, have mercy on me." Repeat that phrase quietly each time you exhale, making the prayer an act of breathing.
2. When Jesus finally asked for Bartimaeus, the blind man excitedly jumped up leaving behind the day's alms which he kicks away from under him.
Reflect. Here is blind Bartimaeus eagerly leaving behind his life in order to respond to Jesus' call while men urged him on. The situation is similar to adult persons who approach the Lord in baptism as the community of faith urge them on with prayers and verbal encouragement. It is also similar to those who would like to return to the Lord and are encouraged in doing so by other men and women. As you think of blink Bartimaeus, put yourself among the crowd: whom have you helped go to the Lord recently? How have you been helping them in their new resolve to be followers of the Lord?
3. After Jesus restored his sight, the former blind man began to follow the Lord into Jerusalem. In the schema of Mark's gospel, this should be the result of a disciple's training: with eyes that are able to see, the disciple walks behind the Lord, joining Him in the suffering of Good Friday so that he too can be with Him in the glory of Easter.
Reflect. Paul would write that in our baptism, we have participated in the death of Christ so that we too can share with Him the new life of the Resurrection. If Bartimaeus is a picture of the "illumined" Christian, happy to be with the Lord so that where He is, there he may be also, would you say that you are like him? In what way?
