Great faith!

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus’ fame is growing. He is not leaving Jericho only with his disciples, but he is also being followed by a sizeable crowd. This justifies the fact that Bartimaeus had already heard about Jesus and how he was healing people like him. As soon as Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was near, he started shouting so that Jesus would show his mercy and make him see again.

The people’s attitude reminds one of the expression, ‘to follow like sheep’. When Bartimaeus was calling out to attract Jesus’ attention, those near him started to rebuke him and wanted him to be silent. Were they shy and ashamed? Could Jesus’ movement towards Bartimaeus, where possibly there were other beggars, embarrass them by bringing to light their lack of attention shown towards these people? Why do you think they asked Bartimaeus to keep quiet? Bartimaeus, not only ignores them. He raises his voice, even more! Jesus stops and calls him near. These same people, now change their attitude completely. They encourage Bartimaeus to go near Jesus! Could it be that at times, we too behave like these people? Do we allow ourselves to be influenced by those around us, do we allow them to influence our decisions? 

Bartimaeus, did not allow those around him to hinder him. He was the weakest. He was blind. However, he was convinced. He calls Jesus, son of David. Bartimaeus recognises Jesus as the Messiah. As Jesus states, Bartimaeus had faith. He had heard about Jesus’ compassion with others like him, he had faith that Jesus would not keep on going and ignore him, even if others were hindering and discouraging him. 

Bartimaeus was not born blind. He knew what he was missing. Likewise, we can also be blind at times. It could be that we are burdened with situations which are robbing us of peace. It could be that such situations are not allowing us to see clearly, and stopping us from making the right decisions. Like Bartimaeus, we need to be convinced where we can seek healing. It could be that like Bartimaeus, there are those around us who are discouraging us, those who want to keep us as we are. Will we have Bartimaeus’ courage and seek to better our lives? Bartimaeus knew where to seek help. Bartimaeus’ solution is ours too. Jesus is our healer. Like Bartimaeus, we need to throw aside our cloak, remove all that is hindering us from achieving the freedom Jesus is offering us.

After Bartimaeus’ eyesight is restored, Jesus sends him on his way. However, Bartimaeus knows that his life is now with Jesus, so he follows him instead.

A reading from the Gospel of Mark (Mk 10, 46-52)

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. 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, Jesus 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.

The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

  1. Read the Gospel story so that you are familiar with it.
  2. Reflect on what the Gospel story is saying to you. Which points would you highlight and why?
  3. “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” No matter how you feel, and what situation  you are in, today Jesus is calling you, in love. He is not rebuking you or judging you, he is just asking, “What do you want me to do for you?” Make the time, to be on your own, and to reflect upon this call and question. How will you answer? Spend time with Jesus and let him speak to you.
  4. Today is Mission Sunday. There are many around us, and in the world, who like, Bartimaeus, need our help. It could be that at times we are blind to these people, and to their needs, we are blind to the injustices happening around us. What will be your family’s contribution?
  5. Together with your family find the right time to read this Gospel. The environment helps, so before you start, prepare;
    i. The Bible reading from St Mark (Mk 10, 46-52)
    ii. A candle
    iii. Cover the table with a green clot
    iv. A computer/laptop with the reading and clips
  6. Go through the steps with your children (2 age groups are being suggested)
  7. Feel free to adapt to your situation
  8. Be creative 😊
  9. Go to the Prayer Corner section to continue praying as a family

Bartimaeus was blind. He calls out to Jesus to have mercy on him. Those around him asked him to stop shouting. Let us listen to the Gospel and see what happened. 

  • Like Bartimaeus, the more we get to know Jesus, the more we want to follow him
  • Printouts of the activity
  • Colours
  • Pencil
  • Construction paper
  • Scissors
  • Glue 
PrintoutDownload

What did Bartimaeus do, when he heard that Jesus was near? (he called out to Jesus)

What did the people do? (they wanted Bartimaeus to stop shouting)

Why do you think the people wanted Bartimaeus to stop? (accept all reasonable answers)

Did Bartimaeus obey? Did he stop calling Jesus? (no)

What did Jesus do? (he told the people to bring Bartimaeus. Jesus healed him.  Bartimaeus could see again)

Bartimaeus, addresses Jesus as the son of David. This means that Bartimaeus, believed that the Messiah was to be a descendant of David and that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. After having been healed, Bartimaeus could have left Jesus and lives his own life. He did not need to continue begging. However he chose to follow Jesus. Not only did Bartimaeus believe Jesus to be Messiah. He also knew that he could find joy with Jesus and that he could live a better life. Bartimaeus seemed to know exactly who Jesus was!

You too are getting to know Jesus. Like Bartimaeus, you will come to realise that when we choose to follow Jesus and follow him, we would have made the best choice.

In today’s activity, you have a picture of Jesus. You may colour it. On another printout, you have four sentences about what we know about Jesus. You are going to draw a picture to describe each sentence. For example, for ‘I know that Jesus wants me to talk with him’, you can draw yourselves praying, for when we pray we are talking with Jesus.

Ask your parents to help you cut these four drawings and glue them onto the construction paper, together with the picture of Jesus. Glue the picture of Jesus in the middle and the others on the outside. Hang this in your room.
Whilst drawing, listen to, I have decided.

Sign of the cross.

Jesus we want to believe in you, like Bartimaeus. Like Bartimaeus, we want to be your friends and to follow you. Like Bartimaeus we want to get to know you more. Thank you Jesus for all your love. Amen.

Today, we are going to meet with a blind man, called Bartimaeus. This man did not stop making a fuss until he got what he wanted! Let us listen to the Gospel, to Bartimaeus’ wish, and what happened after Jesus gave him what he asked for.

  • Even though God knows all, we need to turn to him and pray for our needs
  • When we get to know Jesus, we would want to follow him
  • Printout of the activity
  • Pencil
  • Colours
PrintoutDownload

When you want something from your parents, like for example you want them to take you somewhere, or to buy you something, what do you do?

If after asking, they do not give you what you ask for, what do you do? Do you accept their answer or will you keep on annoying them until they say change their mind?

This is what Bartimaeus did, he did not give up. He knew that Jesus could help him. He was blind, and he was by the side of the road. He was hidden by those around him, the bystanders who were asking him to stop calling Jesus. Yet this did not stop him from calling out to Jesus. He heard him, stopped and asked him what he wanted. Bartimaeus wanted to see again and Jesus healed him. Bartimaeus had faith in Jesus. Bartimaeus believed that Jesus could give him what he wanted, that is why he did not lose hope. This is what Jesus wants to teach us. When we pray, we have to believe that God hears us, we are to believe that God can give us all that is good. We need to be persistent in our prayers, that is, we continue praying without giving up. God always hears our prayers and answers. Though his answer may be different to our request. God loves us and knows what is best for us. This is why we do not always receive what we ask for, because God gives us what is best, even if we do not realise this! When we pray, we are showing that God can do anything, we show that we need God. When we persist in our prayers, we show our faith in God. It could be that there are some who tell us to stop praying, people like those who tried to stop Bartimaeus from calling out to Jesus. However, Bartimaeus did not pay attention and instead called out even louder! God always hears our prayers, like Jesus heard Bartimaeus, even though there was a crowd of people. God hears us, anytime and anywhere. God loves us and God wants to help us.

The story of Bartimaeus does not stop here. After regaining his sight, Bartimaeus does not go to celebrate with his friends. He remains with Jesus. Bartimaeus follows Jesus, he became his disciple. We too wish to be disciples of Jesus. To follow Jesus, we need to allow him to show us how to live. At times, like Bartimaeus, we may be a bit blind. We may not see, or we may not be bothered about those who need us. At school, for example, to act like the rest, we may call someone names, or ignore someone who has no friends. Whilst you listen to, I’m following Jesus, do today’s activity. You have a footprint, with the words, ‘Like Bartimaeus I want to follow Jesus!’ Spend some time thinking how you can do this, and in the space provided, write down how you can follow Jesus at home, at church, at school and every day. For example, at home, you may read the Bible, help your parents and obey them. What else can you do? You may also wish to colour the picture. When you are ready, put it somewhere to remind you what you are to do to follow Jesus, every day and everywhere.

Sign of the Cross

Lord God, like Bartimaeus, we are sometimes blind. We are blind to the needs of others, blind to their wish to be our friends. Open our eyes, and give us the courage to do as you wish and to be Jesus’ disciples. We pray this, in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Coming soon.

How to use this space

God speaks to us in many ways, including through the Sunday Scripture readings. Here you will find useful background and activities to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping you to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way.