Let us recall the story on last Sunday’s Gospel about the two brothers James and John, the sons of Zebedee who asked for a “position” to sit at the left and right side of Jesus. Despite being Jesus’ disciples, they do not know who Jesus really is. In fact, they called him “Teacher, ….  Perhaps, we can draw many lessons from John and James. One of them is the thirst for power. James and John might think that, by sitting on Jesus’ left and right side, they will have many more (paramihan) power over others and many things. Jesus then, in response to their request telling them to be the servant of all. That is the true power of discipleship, power to serve, not to have many more relationships, so to say. Power to deepen our relationship with God and others. In short, James and John were blind spiritually. They did not know who Jesus is, they did not know what means to be Jesus’ disciples.

John and James’ story completely contradicts the story of a blind man, named Bartimaeus from today’s Gospel. Though he was blind, he knew who Jesus is. “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me”. Though blind, Bartimaeus knows Jesus. Blindness in Jewish culture is a punishment given by God over the sinful person. Therefore, a blind has to be “excommunicated” from society, for he/she is dirty and sinful. So does Bartimaeus. The Gospel tells us, he sat by the “roadside”, far from the crowds who were following Jesus “on the road”. He was physically blind, but not spiritually. He did not give up to cry out to Jesus, though many tried to stop him. “Jesus, son of David” describes his humble heart to accept the fact that he is sinful and dirty (cf. Jewish culture), and asking for the love and mercy from Jesus Christ. 

Hence, become clearer that James and John, although possessing physical sight, evidently do not “see” Jesus for who He is, do not understand Him and His message properly yet, and are still too filled with pride and a desire for power. Bartimaeus, on the other hand, although physically blind, evidently “sees” Jesus much better than some of His own disciples; he recognizes Jesus as the promised Davidic Messiah, but, instead of asking for power and glory, seeks only the healing and mercy that many Jews believed the Messiah to be bringing.

At Jesus’ summons then, Bartimaeus threw aside his long cloak, his only possession, which protected him from heat and cold.  In throwing away his cloak, he gave up everything he had depended on, putting his complete trust in God. By doing this, show us a radical break from Bartimaeus’ previous life. Bartimaeus responded to Jesus’ summons should characterize all those who seek to respond to Jesus’ call. Deepening (Palaliman) his faith and depending his life on Jesus. Jesus then asked, “What do you want me to do for you?"  Bartimaeus replied promptly: “Master, I want to see.” Jesus rewarded his faith by restoring both his physical and spiritual sight.

Let us learn some messages:

1) Instead of remaining in spiritual blindness, let us pray for spiritual sight.  Each one of us suffers from spiritual blindness. Hence, we need the light of the Holy Spirit to enlighten us. Let us have our “eyes” fixed on Jesus in order to follow him fully. 

2) We need to "cry out" to Jesus, as Bartimaeus did.  Like Bartimaeus, we must seek Jesus with trust in his goodness and mercy.  We need to acknowledge our limitations, weaknesses to be healed and purified by Him.

3). Today we celebrate the 95th World Mission Sunday with the theme “We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard. Mark tells us that immediately after receiving his sight, Bartimaeus followed Jesus on the way. His experience has made him a missionary disciple. Let us learn from him, to tell to people about our faith experience, to tell others about Jesus, to be His missionaries.

4). Our being disciples and missionaries: Hindi para paramihan (like James and John) ng relationship with Jesus, kundi palaliman (like Bartimaeus) ng relationship with Jesus.