Ebanghelyo: Marcos 10:46-52
Dumating sila sa Jerico. At pag-alis niya roon kasama ng kanyang mga alagad at ng marami pang tao, may isang bulag na pulubi na nakaupo sa tabi ng daan – si Bartimeo, ang anak ni Timeo. Nang marinig niya na si Jesus na taga-Nazaret ang dumaraan, nagsimula siyang sumigaw: “Kaawaan mo ako, Jesus, Anak ni David.” Pinagsabihan siyang tumahimik ng mga tao pero lalo lamang niyang nilakasan ang kanyang sigaw: “Panginoon, Anak ni David, maawa ka sa akin!”
Huminto naman si Jesus at sinabi: “Tawagin ninyo siya.” Kaya tinawag nila ang bulag: “Lakasan mo ang iyong loob at tumindig ka. Tinatawag ka nga niya.” Inihagis nito ang kanyang balabal at paluksong lumapit kay Jesus.
Kinausap ito ni Jesus at sinabing: “Ano ang gusto mong gawin ko?” At sumagot sa kanya ang bulag: “Ginoo, makakita sana ako.” At sinabi naman ni Jesus: “Sige, ang iyong pananalig ang nagligtas sa iyo.”
Agad siyang nakakita at sumunod siya kay Jesus sa daan.
Pagninilay
The prophet Jeremiah prophesies in a most detailed and beautiful manner the promise of Yaweh to act always in favor of the His people; Yahweh will rescue the remnant of Israel with especial attention to the blind, crippled and vulnerable women. Jesus, the Messiah, will execute this prophecy; he will act in favor of the most weak and vulnerable. This reminds us of his first preaching engagement at the start of his public ministry in the gospel according to Luke by quoting the prophet Isaiah: “Sumasaakin ang Espiritu ng Panginoon kayat pinahiran niya ako upang ihatid ang mabuting balita sa mga dukha… upang ipahayag ang paglaya sa mga bilanggo, sa mga bulag ang pagkabawi ng paningin, upang bigyang- ginhawa ang mga api, at ipahayag ang taon ng kabutihangloob ng Panginoon.” The situation of Bartimeus was shameful, depressing and in total powerlessness; he must depend to others in order to survive. He must have already heard about Jesus, and so he addressed him as Son of David. He must have believed that Jesus is able to act in favor of a person like him. He was barred but all the more he shouted aloud. This is his chance and he will not let it go. “Ano ang gusto mong gawin ko?” When Jesus asked him, He was very clear of what wanted, aspired and dreamt of: “Ginoo, makakita sana ako.” His fervent and perseverant petition was granted; he became a free Bartimeus. But there is more to encounter. Authentic freedom is always at the service of something higher. Bartimeus followed Jesus; he became a disciple. The salvific action of God in our favor should bring us to higher good; our blessings should make us a truer disciple of Jesus.
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