Ordinary Time 
Pause
How do we need to be healed?
For our physical selves and in our inmost hearts–
For our individual lives and in our families–
For our schools, neighborhoods, and communities–
For our countries and across continents–
From the depths of the ocean to the moon and back–
We pray:
God, show us mercy.
Listen
Throwing his coat to the side, he jumped up and came to Jesus.
Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”
The blind man said, “Teacher, I want to see.”
Mark 10:50-51
Think
Surely by the time Bartimaeus reached the front of the crowd, Jesus had noticed Bartimaeus was blind. Why did he still ask, “What do you want?”
The blind man had called out for mercy and gotten Jesus’ attention; now what? Suddenly Bartimaeus was on the spot, with Jesus and with the whole crowd watching, listening. The Son of David, who could show him mercy, and the townspeople (who never had), were all waiting to hear his request.
I want to see.
It seems simple. Obvious, even. A man who is blind wants to see.
Jesus didn’t assume anything, but made space for the other man to express his need. And Bartimaeus spoke up simply, obviously, about what he wanted Jesus to do. No sales-pitch or strategy needed.
Is a miracle only the Happily Ever After, or is it a miracle every time we see clearly what we really, truly need? Is it a miracle every time we are sure enough to ask?
Nikki Finkelstein-Blair
Pray
Give me clarity, God, to see my own needs and to accept the needs of others. Help me to let go of judgment – of myself, and of others – so there is room for healing. Amen.
Go
Follow Jesus’ invitation: Seek, and find mercy.
Ask, and share in healing.
Gather, and join in praise.
Go, and be overjoyed.
