Chosen and Precious

May 29, 2008

Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5

Jesus said to him in reply, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man replied to him, "Master, I want to see." Jesus told him, "Go your way; your faith has saved you." Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way. Mark 10:51-52

Piety

"Jesus, son of David, have pity on me."

Study

http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/052908.shtml
Once we have an encounter with Jesus, we are aliens and sojourners no more. That encounter, as brief or as long as it may be, helps us to realize and fulfill our destiny. Just as Jesus responds to our call as he did to Bartimaeus, we must then respond to his call, as Bartimaeus did as well.

We could not do much better in all of our searches for the right words to pray than those words chosen by the blind beggar. "Jesus, son of David, have pity on me."

"Jesus, son of David, have pity on me."

"Jesus, son of David." This is a statement of faith, a statement of praise, a statement of adoration.

"Have pity on me." This part of the proclamation is where we come to God and ask Him for help meeting our needs and the needs of others.

"A Sinner." In Bartimaeus’ case, he stresses the confessional aspect of his life but in the initial prayer, makes no mention of either his blindness or what he will do if cured. His actual supplications only become apparent when Jesus engages with him in a deeper encounter and conversation.

However, that deeper conversation and encounter might never have occurred without the opening prayer…Bartimaeus coming to Jesus and calling out in prayer. Even though he can read our minds, Jesus prefers it if we come to him and ask for help out of our sense of faith, hope and love.

Bartimaeus’ thank you is his action. St. Mark tells us, “Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.” His thank you to Jesus is expressed by living out his life as a follower.

Action

Prayers can and do get answered. Not just for Bartimaeus and others who lived 2,000 years ago. They get answered here and now. If you don’t think so, ask Tom and Rae Copeland. Tom is now recovering in Fairfax Hospital from his heart transplant surgery. We have been praying with the Copeland family for this miracle for many years and to see it happen in our midst strengthens the foundation of our individual faith and that of our collective community. We continue to pray for his recovery.

But let us not forget thousands more who remain on the waiting lists for organs throughout the country and the world. Visit the Living Bank today and sign up to be an organ or tissue donor or sign your driver’s license.

For what do you want to pray today?