October 24--Bartimaeus, in the tenth chapter of Mark’s Gospel, asks for healing in order that he may see. It is then documented that Jesus then heals Bartimaeus from being blind. Many in our world today, seem to have “lost sight” of their deepest need; that is a relationship with Jesus. St. Josemaria Escriva, teaches us this: “We are challenged to meditate slowly on the events preceding the miracle, which will help us to recognize the ‘world of difference that is between the merciful Heart of Jesus and our own poor hearts!’
This meditation will be a great help to any of us in times of trial or temptation and also when the time arrives to be generous.” Bartimaeus was sitting alongside the road from Jericho, begging for our Lord Jesus’ attention. Those with our Lord rebuked him and he was told to be quiet. However, Bartimaeus ignored those with the Lord and continued to “call out” to Jesus. We too are called to be persistent, to keep “calling out” to Jesus even if our Lord doesn’t immediately give us what we are asking for, we are called to keep praying and continuing to try to grow in our relationship with Him.
Let us take up the challenge in a new way to beg the Holy Spirit to grant us the gift of “persistence” in our prayers and our own personal growth in our relationship with Jesus.