Saint Rita Catholic Church and School in Webster, NY - An Introduction to the Sunday Scripture Readings

“Jesus, Son Of David, Have Pity On Me”

Our readings this Sunday speak to us about the hope of those who are lost, especially the blind and the lame, and those who are separated from loved ones, both physically and spiritually. We call out from our woundedness, "Jesus, son of David, have pity on me."

In our first reading (Jeremiah 31:7-9), the prophet Jeremiah offers hope to those in exile, those who were carried off and resettled to other nations. In the future age of salvation, all of the lost, including the blind and the lame, will be gathered from the ends of the earth and brought back home to the new Jerusalem. “I will gather them from the ends of the world, with the blind and the lame in their midst…”

In our Epistle reading (Hebrews 5:1-6), the author instructs us in the traditional role of the high priest - one of human estate, called by God to offer sacrifice for our sins. Christ, like us in every way but sin, experienced the sufferings of humanity first-hand. He fills this role of high priest with perfection. He was chosen and sent by his Father. He deals patiently with us; He is our high priest for ever.

In our Gospel reading (Mark 10:46-52), we hear of the healing of Bartimaeus, who was blind since birth. He is a symbol of the lost, the alienated, the spiritually blind, calling out to Jesus with persistence, calling Him “Son of David.” His faith and his persistence are models for us. Jesus heard his cry, called him and told him, "your faith has saved you."

In many ways, we live in a form of exile; at times alienated from God and/or one another, blinded by the effects of sin. We long for our return from exile. We take hope from Jeremiah that God “will gather us in.“ Sometimes, we call out “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me." Let no one silence us. It is the faith and persistence of Bartimaeus that gives us hope. We must be ready for when we hear the call, "Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you." When Jesus ask us, "What do you want me to do for you", what is it we will say to him?