Thursday in the 8th week of the year, May 27, 2021

MASTER, I WANT TO SEE

Introduction

Ben Sirach invites us to see the works of God with eyes of faith and to admire them. In this way, we share a bit in the view of God himself, who knows and sees everything, even what goes on in the deepest of our hearts. Seeing with faith is sharing in the wisdom of God.

Jesus cures a blind man. Not only is his eyesight restored, but he also begins to see with faith who Jesus is. Note that the crowd first try to silence him but his faith is unstoppable and cannot be silenced.

Opening Prayer

Our living God,

you are very near to us in our joys and pains.

Give us eyes of faith and love to see

the mission you have given us in life

and the grace and courage to carry it out.

Make us also clear-sighted enough to see

the needs of people who cry out their misery

or suffer in silence,

that we may bring them your healing compassion

and lead them to you.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen!

1 READING: Sirach 42:15-25

Now will I recall God’s works; what I have seen, I will describe. By the LORD’s word his works were brought into being; he accepts the one who does his will. As the shining sun is clear to all, so the glory of the LORD fills all his works; Yet even God’s holy ones must fail in recounting the wonders of the LORD, Though God has given his hosts the strength to stand firm before his glory. He searches out the abyss and penetrates the heart; their secrets he understands. For the Most High possesses all knowledge, and sees from of old the things that are to come. He makes known the past and the future, and reveals the deepest secrets. He lacks no understanding; no single thing escapes him. He regulates the mighty deeds of his wisdom; he is from all eternity one and the same, With nothing added, nothing taken away; no need of a counselor for him! How beautiful are all his works, delightful to gaze upon and a joy to behold! Everything lives and abides forever; and to meet each need all things are preserved. All of them differ, one from another, yet none of them has he made in vain; For each in turn, as it comes, is good; can one ever see enough of their splendour?

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 33:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.

Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;

on the ten-stringed lyre offer praise.

Sing to him a new song;

skillfully play with joyful chant. R.

For the LORD’s word is upright;

all his works are trustworthy.

He loves justice and right.

The earth is full of the mercy of the LORD. R.

By the LORD’s word the heavens were made;

by the breath of his mouth all their host.

He gathered the waters of the sea as a mound;

he sets the deep into storage vaults. R.

Let all the earth fear the LORD;

let all who dwell in the world show him reverence.

For he spoke, and it came to be,

commanded, and it stood in place. R.

Alleluia: John 8:12

R/ Alleluia, alleluia

I am the light of the world, says the Lord;

whoever follows me will have the light of life.

R/ Alleluia, alleluia

Gospel : Mark 10:46-52

They came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, he is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. 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.

Commentary

The glory of God appears in his creation. And he has given humans the ability to recognize and appreciate that glory. It is through his creation that human beings can come to a better understanding of God. There is a remarkable commonality and diversity in the world that surrounds us. It is about this that Sirach speaks to us today.

The Gospel of today has always been one of my catch reading at retreats. It is a big sermon in consistent prayers, courage to ignore and overcome obstacles (especially, the crowd that say, keep quiet!) Blind Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus with a note of recognition. Twice he appeals to him as the Son of David. The people try to silence him but to no avail. Many of us would have stopping trying. But the strength of Bartimaeus’ faith leads to his salvation.

We are reminded today that faith and sight go hand in hand. Bartimaeus teaches us a lesson in perseverance. Our cry for mercy repeatedly goes out to God. Let us never despair or hindered by the crowd (often faceless, noisy and impacting). If we cry to him for mercy, his compassion will not fail.

Intentions

– Lord, see the eyes of children open to life; see the eyes full of hope of those who believe in your future and fill them with your light, we pray:

– Lord, see the eyes of those who suffer; see the lifeless eyes of those who are physically blind, we pray:

– Lord, see the eyes of those who fail to see others; see the eyes full of tears of those who mourn for those they loved, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Our living and loving God,

the whole world is a sign of you:

your beauty is reflected in every flower

and each ray of the sun shines with your light.

Give each of us a grateful heart

that rejoices in simple things.

Give us new eyes to discover,