Blind Bartimaeus knows that Jesus can heal his blindness. He will not let Jesus pass by without getting His attention. He succeeded and was healed. Let us learn from the perseverance and faith of Bartimaeus. When we seek something from God, we should not be afraid to put our case before Him.
First Reading | Jeremiah 31:7-9
The salvation achieved by Jesus on the cross is the definitive freedom in all human history.
Jesus freed us from the slavery of sin to live as sons and daughters of God.
There is no greater gift we could receive than this.
Let us not abuse the freedom God has given and embrace the new life He offers through faith in Jesus Christ.
7 Thus says the Lord: Shout with joy for Jacob, exult at the head of the nations; proclaim your praise and
say: The Lord has delivered his people, the remnant of Israel.
8 Behold, I will bring them back from the land of the north; I will gather them from the ends of the
world, with the blind and the lame in their midst, the mothers and those with child; they shall return as
an immense throng.
9 They departed in tears, but I will console them and guide them; I will lead them to brooks of water, on
a level road, so that none shall stumble. For I am a father to Israel, Ephraim is my firstborn.
Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6
R: The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
1 When the Lord brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing. (R)
Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” 3 The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad indeed. (R)
4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the torrents in the southern desert. 5 Those that sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. (R)
6 Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, they shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves. (R)
Second Reading | Hebrews 5:1-6
The old priesthood could never take sins away as both the offering and offeror are imperfect.
In Christ, this imperfection is overcome.
Christ is the true and spotless lamb who is slain for our sins.
He is also the High Priest in the order of Melchizedek who offers His own sacrifice.
This may sound impossible, but with God all things are possible.
1Brothers and sisters: Every high priest is taken from among men and made their representative before God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
2 He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring, for he himself is beset by weakness
3 and so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people.
4 No one takes this honor upon himself but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.
5 In the same way, it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest, but rather the one who said to him: You are my son; this day I have begotten you;
6 just as he says in another place: You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Gospel
Bartimaeus knows that Jesus can heal his blindness.
He will not let Jesus pass by without getting His attention.
He succeeded and was healed. Let us learn from the perseverance and faith of Bartimaeus.
When we seek something from God, we should not be afraid to put our case before Him.
Gospel Acclamation
Our Savior Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.
Mark 10:46-52
46 As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging.
47 On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.”
48And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.”
49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.”
50He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.
51 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.”
52 Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.
