Sunday, October 24, 2027 · Year B
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Master, I want to see
Jeremiah promises that God will bring His people home, including the blind and the lame. Blind Bartimaeus cries out to Jesus as He leaves Jericho. When Jesus calls him, he throws off his cloak, asks to see, receives his sight and follows Jesus on the way.
Mass Readings
- First Reading Jeremiah 31:7-9
- Responsorial Psalm Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6
- Second Reading Hebrews 5:1-6
- Gospel Mark 10:46-52
Open the Mass Readings on USCCB.org →
First Reading Jeremiah 31:7-9
Shout with joy for Jacob! The Lord has delivered His people. I will gather them from the ends of the world, the blind and the lame among them. They departed in tears, but I will console them and guide them; I am a father to Israel.
Psalm Psalm 126
The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Second Reading Hebrews 5:1-6
Every high priest is taken from among men to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal patiently with the ignorant and erring, for he himself is beset by weakness. No one takes this honor upon himself; Christ too was appointed by the Father: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
Gospel Mark 10:46-52
As Jesus leaves Jericho, blind Bartimaeus sits by the road begging. He cries out, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” Many rebuke him, but he cries out more. Jesus stops and calls him. He throws aside his cloak, springs up and comes. “What do you want me to do for you?” “Master, I want to see.” “Your faith has saved you.” He receives his sight and follows Jesus on the way.
Step Into the Story
Jeremiah’s Book of Consolation promised that God would bring the exiles home, the blind and the lame among them. Jericho was an oasis of palms and balsam groves in the Jordan valley, some 850 feet below sea level, where Herod the Great had built a lavish winter palace. It was the last stop for Galilean pilgrims before a climb of about fifteen miles and well over 3,000 feet to Jerusalem.
- 63 B.C.Pompey takes Jerusalem
- 4 B.C.Herod dies at Jericho
- 14 A.D.Tiberius becomes emperor
- 26 A.D.Pilate becomes prefect
- This week’s scene: c. 30 A.D.Bartimaeus receives his sight
Come out of Jericho with the Passover crowd, likely in the spring of 30 A.D. The air is warm and thick and sweet with balsam. Date palms line the road. Feel the press of pilgrims around you, everyone eager for the city, and hear the noise of a festival crowd on the move.
By the roadside sits a blind beggar, his cloak spread on the ground for coins. Mark gives his name, Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, perhaps because the early Church knew him. Hear him shouting over the noise: “Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me!” People around you tell him to be quiet. He shouts louder. Watch Jesus stop in the road, and wait with the crowd.
Encounter the Lord
Sit by the roadside outside Jericho. The crowd is noisy, and a blind beggar keeps shouting, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me!” People tell him to be quiet. He shouts louder.
Jesus stops. The whole procession halts for one blind man. Then He asks a question that seems obvious: “What do you want me to do for you?” He wants Bartimaeus to name his desire. He asks you the same question. Notice what Bartimaeus does: he throws away his cloak, everything he owns, and runs to Jesus. Once he can see, he does not go home; he follows Jesus on the way to Jerusalem, the way of the Cross. Persistent prayer, total trust, and discipleship: that is the shape of faith.
Pray Bartimaeus’ prayer slowly several times a day this week: “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.” And tell Jesus honestly what you want Him to do for you.
Know Your Faith
- 21·what faith is
- 478·why we can be confident our prayer is heard
- 510·whether it is possible to pray always
Messianic Signs
Jesus’ signs bear witness that the Father has sent Him and invite belief in Him (CCC 547-548). Those who turned to Him in faith received what they asked (CCC 548, 2616).
Faith as a Gift
Faith is a gift of God, a supernatural virtue infused by Him (CCC 153). It is also an authentically human act (CCC 154-155). Faith is necessary for salvation (CCC 161).
Filial Confidence in Prayer
Filial trust is tested when we feel our prayer is not heard (CCC 2734). Jesus hears the prayer of faith, expressed in words or in silence (CCC 2616). The invocation of the holy name of Jesus, as in the prayer of the blind man, is the simplest way of praying always (CCC 2667-2668).
Christ the Priest
Christ is the High Priest who prays for us; He was appointed by the Father, a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek (CCC 1544, 2749).
Key Takeaways
- Scripture
- Doctrine
- Sacraments
- Christian Life
- Christian Life: Jesus stops and listens to those who cry out to Him in faith.
- Doctrine: Faith is a gift of God and also a free human response.
- Christian Life: Persistent prayer and calling on the name of Jesus please God.
- Christian Life: Those Jesus heals are called to follow Him.
Test Your Knowledge
True or false? Tap your answer.
Bartimaeus called Jesus “son of David.”
True.
The crowd encouraged Bartimaeus to call out to Jesus.
False: many rebuked him and told him to be silent.
Jesus asked Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?”
True.
Bartimaeus kept his cloak tightly around him.
False: he threw it aside.
After he was healed, Bartimaeus followed Jesus on the way.
True.
Jericho was the last stop for pilgrims before Jerusalem.
True.
Jeremiah promised that God would gather the blind and the lame.
True.
Hebrews says Christ took the honor of high priest upon Himself.
False: He was appointed by the Father.
The Catechism describes invoking the name of Jesus as the simplest way of praying always.
True.
The Catechism teaches that faith is a gift of God.
True.
Answers: 1 T · 2 F (many rebuked him and told him to be silent) · 3 T · 4 F (he threw it aside) · 5 T · 6 T · 7 T · 8 F (He was appointed by the Father) · 9 T · 10 T
Journal Prompts
If Jesus asked me today, “What do you want me to do for you?” how would I answer?
What “cloak” do I need to throw off to come to Jesus?
Where have I stopped crying out in prayer?
Where is Jesus asking me to follow Him on the way?
Talk to God
Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me. Like Bartimaeus, I cry out to You. Open the eyes of my heart, help me throw off whatever holds me back, and give me grace to follow You on the way. Amen.