Call Out All the More!
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 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.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“But he kept calling out all the more, ‘Son of David, have pity on me.’ Jesus stopped and side, ‘Call him.’”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Those who are very serious about Christ do whatever it takes to reach Him. Here is Bartimaeus, a blind man, calling out to Jesus, who is walking through his town. Bartimaeus believes in Christ and desperately wants to encounter Him. But “many rebuked him, telling him to be silent.” What if he would have been silent? What if He had given up easily? He would have been sightless and potentially faithless. Though the crowd rebukes him, Jesus does not. Jesus has compassion; He heals him.
Jesus does this in the Gospels at times. He doesn’t just heal someone, He increases their faith as well. He doesn’t just strengthen Bartimaeus’ eyes by a miracle, He also strengthens his faith through testing. Bartimaeus doesn’t quit: “he kept calling out all the more.” When the Lord puts us through trials, we shouldn’t think He is not listening. We should think, instead, that along the way He is giving us something much more important than whatever we are asking for… He is growing our faith. Don’t quit when times are hard… call out all the more!
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture above. (Optional – allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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