What do you want?



 “What do you want me to do for you?” asked Jesus of blind Bartimaeus in Mark chapter 10.  Bartimaeus responded, “My teacher let me see again.”  What would you ask for if Jesus asked you the same question?  If you could have one wish granted by Jesus what would it be?  Would it be for money?  Would it be for fame?  Would it be to be forever young?  Perhaps it would be that your team would  win a World Series or Super Bowl?  One famous wish was that of George Bailey in “it’s a Wonderful life.”  He wished that he had never been born.  He was then shown how special he was.  What would you like Jesus to do for you?  My guess is that most people would respond that they want something healed in their lives, either physical or emotional.  “Lord if you could just fix this in my life, then all would be okay.”  Some I think would wish to see a loved one just one more time.


Of course I reflect on this because of Jesus’ encounter with blind Bartimaeus is today’s Gospel lesson.  Bartimaeus found out that Jesus was nearby, so he shouted out, “Son of David.  Have mercy on me.”  Others trief to quiet him, but he shouted even louder…”SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME.”  Jesus told the others to call him.  Then Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”  “My teacher, let me see again.”  All of the healing stories in the Gospels have something to teach us.  Here are two lessons I take-away today.


First, God is about listening relationships.  Bartimaeus shouted out to Jesus, “Son of David, have mercy on me.”  Jesus heard him.  “Call him to me,” said Jesus.  Jesus listened to Bartimaeus.  As a priest one of the hardest questions that I get asked is, “Does God listen to my prayers?””  Usually someone asks this when they pray for something and seemingly do not get an answer, at least not the answer they would like.  Several years ago, I invited  Robert Rogers to come and speak to the church I served.  Robert has an incredible story to tell.  He had experienced a terrible tragedy.  His wife and three lovely children were killed.  They were swept away in a flash flood.  Robert went on to tell of the hard process of grieving.  Only the Lord knows what he went through.  However, Robert did not get stuck in his prayer life.  He surely wanted his loved ones back, but he realized that God still would grant him many gifts.  God did not cause this tragedy to teach Robert, but God did bring blessings even out of this terrible tragedy.  Robert began to see God’s many blessings.  He was able to start a new ministry to help others grieve.  Further, he received the gift of a new family.  Robert truly lived the story of Job.  He has much to teach us.  If we sit and wallow in our misery we will never see the many gifts God does have for us, even during the worst of times.  I encourage you to read Robert’s book Into the Deep.


Second, God restores and renews.  In the encounter between Bartimaeus and Jesus, Bartimaeus was made aware of something greater than his sight, his faith.  Bartimaeus cried out, “Son of David have mercy on me.”  After Jesus asked what he would have him do, Bartimaeus  said, “My teacher, let me see again.”  Bartimaeus went from a generic greeting “Son of David” to a very personal, “My teacher.”  The relationship with God was deepening.  He wanted Jesus to be his teacher.  Then Jesus reminded him of the greater gift, “Go your faith has made you well.”  God gave more than just physical sight.  He showed Bartimaeus the grace of faith, which is eternal sight.  

Many people in life have goals.  Much of them have to do with success.  Many people want that beautiful house with two cars, a beautiful family and life will be perfect.  Now those are all wonderful blessings, but if they are the end goal in life, then I hate to tell us but, we will all fail.  None of us has the perfect life or is able to hold onto the perfect life.  However, if our focus is on ever deepening relationships with God and others we love, then we never need to fail.  This is always open to us.  Furthermore, God can use any joys or sorrows as a means to deepen our life with Him.  

Recently we celebrated one of the great Saint’s feast days.  On October 4th the Church commemorates the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi.  Some communities have a blessing of the animal’s service because Francis had a great connection with creation.  However, the most interesting and endearing  aspect of Francis’ life is how he died.  Francis was always concerned about his eternal relationship with God.  On his deathbed he gave away his final possession.  He removed his monk’s habit and borrowed a blanket.  Nothing was going to be between him and his Lord.  He sang psalms and had the gospel of John read to him.  Now I do not expect many to live such a pious life, but it is a great example of how we ought to make our relationship with God the most important thing in our lives.  Is this what we would ask of Jesus in response to his question, “What would you have me do for you?”  For God desires a listening relationship and will always renew and restore our lives if we just look through the eyes of faith.

Today is God’s Present!



Popular posts from this blog

Link

Image
The first team I was proud to be a part of was my second grade soccer team.  I liked my fellow teammates.  It was fun playing the game with them.  The coach was passionate about the sport, an excellent teacher, and he obviously cared about us.  I had a clear role on the team as a goalie.  It was truly fulfilling.  We won the league championship and I got my first trophy.  Our parents gleefully cheered for us as we received them.  There is something wonderful about being a part of a special team.   There are common characteristics that special teams or great organizations possess.  First, the mission of the group is clear, worthwhile, and benefits others.  Second, good teams and organizations have tremendous leadership.  The leaders are passionate about what they do, can teach/ communicate well, and care about each individual in the group.  Third, the group is made-up of people with high integrity.  They work hard, g...
Read more

Humility

Image
  I know what I know, and that’s all that I know, You know?  I am what I am, and that’s all that I am, I am pretty sure.  There is nothing wrong with saying, “I don’t know.”  It can actually be quite liberating.  Moreover, it is not a crime against humanity to change your mind or have your thoughts and opinions evolve over time.  That is actually a sign of intelligence, not of being a flip flopper.  We are all constantly growing, being and becoming.  Having an open mind and a good healthy sense of humility helps each of us age well, like a fine wine.  We are unique gifts with so many possibilities.  We are each a treasure, and God desires that we become wiser and richer in love everyday.   At the same time, we are never perfect.  We each need constant refinement.  The great deceptive trap that we all fall into is the pit of pride.  Now, pride can be a positive gift (See SP on Pride).  However, here I use pride ...
Read more

Forgive and Encourage!

Image
  Is there someone you need to forgive in life?  Is there someone who needs your encouragement?  Maybe you need to feel the gifts of forgiveness and encouragement.  When asked how to pray, Jesus reminds us of the central importance of forgiveness. He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.  Give us each day our daily bread.  Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.  And lead us not into temptation." (Luke 11: 2-4 NIV) Saint Barnabas was an inspiring early apostle whose feast day is celebrated on June 11th.  Upon learning about Jesus, he responded with excitement and great devotion.  Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. (Acts 4:36, 37 NIV)   He also took Christ’s teaching to forgive others seriously.  After Saul’s c...
Read more