May 28, 2026
Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel: Mk 10:46-52

Today is Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time. The passage from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Mark recounts a miracle Jesus performed as He was passing through Jericho. I would like to take this opportunity to offer some reflections.

In the time of Bartimaeus, Jesus journeyed throughout the land proclaiming the Kingdom, teaching, healing every disease, and driving out demons. Therefore, Bartimaeus likely heard of all these things by word of mouth. Thus, when he heard that Jesus was passing by on the road, he cried out with all his might, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” However, his cry did not immediately elicit a response from Jesus; instead, it drew rebukes from the crowd around him. They scolded Bartimaeus, perhaps suspecting he was an impostor, or assuming he had ulterior motives or hidden agendas. I imagine they even felt that Jesus should be marching on to defeat the Romans and restore the glory of Israel, rather than stopping for a blind beggar.

In today’s Gospel, when Bartimaeus continued to cry out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!”, Jesus sent His servants to call him, saying, “Take courage; get up, He is calling you!” This gave him the opportunity to voice his deepest longing to Jesus Himself. When he came to Jesus, the Lord asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” He did not ask for riches or wealth. Instead, he said, “Master, let me see again.” And Jesus healed him, and he received his sight immediately.

What lessons do this hold for us? First: Jesus does not impose His will upon us; He invites us to ask Him actively. Second: Bartimaeus did not ask for wealth; he asked for his eyes to be opened. He was not merely seeking physical sight, but spiritual vision—he longed to see the world of God of which Jesus spoke. By his request, Jesus healed him, granting him sight. Not only did he see this passing world, but he also perceived the world of God behind it, thus fulfilling the word of the Psalm: “When the just cry out, the Lord hears them and delivers them from all their distress.” (Cf. Ps 34(33):7)

Lord Jesus Christ, living in this changing world, we often fail to see You due to human weakness. The temptations of the world and human greed hinder us from seeing You, and even prevent us from hearing the cries of those who call to us for help. Today, as You healed Bartimaeus and allowed him to see Your creation, we beg You to heal us likewise. Grant that we may look upon all that we see in this present moment according to Your holy will, and give generously of ourselves to aid those in urgent need. You are God, forever and ever with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica