Listen

Jesus and his followers came into Jericho. As Jesus was leaving Jericho, together with his disciples and a sizable crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, Timaeus’ son, was sitting beside the road. When he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was there, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, show me mercy!” Many scolded him, telling him to be quiet, but he shouted even louder, “Son of David, show me mercy!”

Mark 10:46-48

Think

I met Daniel seventeen years ago, when he was a young adult. He lived with his elderly mother. Because of a major trauma, she had to feed and care for him constantly. For years, he did not leave his room at all.

Unfortunately, his mother died, Daniel was left alone, and did not know what to do. Eventually, he made his way to the front of the church in his neighborhood. He was hungry and unable to speak, and he hadn’t bathed in a long time. Faced with overwhelming needs, he recognized that the Church, the body of Christ, could help him. Even without words, his faith was demonstrated in action.

Mark’s gospel introduces us to Bartimaeus, a blind man who, upon hearing that Jesus was near, acted in faith. He asked Jesus to identify with his pain, with his need. He recognized his blindness and recognized who had the power to heal him. We need to accept what affects us, what causes us pain and even more, to recognize that God has the power to heal us. We just need to have faith and act.

Lilybeth Bosch

Question to Ponder:

Where do you need God to show compassion in your life?

Pray

God, with sincerity I tell you, I’m struggling with….

I need you to show me your compassion.

Amen.

Go

Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us.

Ephesians 3:20