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| Illustration by
Phil Younk |
Burnt orange! Fiery red! Tawny gold! Golden yellow! Rusty brown! – the leaves on trees have already turned beautiful colors. Squirrels are scampering about stashing nuts away for the winter. Pumpkins, scarecrows, Indian corn, and cornstalks are decorating yards and homes. Have you seen them? What if you couldn’t see?
In this Sunday’s Gospel, we learn about Bartimaeus, a blind man from Jericho. Because he couldn’t see, he was unable to work and had to beg for money to take care of himself. As he sat by the roadside begging, he heard many people passing by. He asked, “What’s going on?” Someone answered, “Jesus of Nazareth is coming.” Bartimaeus had heard about Jesus. He started shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” People scolded him and told him to be quiet. Bartimaeus shouted even louder.
Jesus stopped. “Call him over,” he said to the crowd. The people near Bartimaeus said, “Get up. Jesus is calling you. Don’t be afraid.”
Excitedly, Bartimaeus got up right away and threw off his ragged cloak. Some people helped him walk over to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. Bartimaeus answered, “Master, I want to see!”
“Go on your way! Your faith has healed you,” Jesus said. Right then and there Bartimaeus could see! He saw the trees, the flowers, the birds, the people – and Jesus! Grateful and happy, he joined the crowd and followed Jesus on the road to Jerusalem.
Bartimaeus followed Jesus because his heart – not only his eyes – had been opened by God’s love for him. Because of his faith Bartimaeus could “see” with his heart that Jesus is truly the Son of God.
Thank Jesus for the gift of sight and the beautiful colors and signs of autumn. Just as Jesus called Bartimaeus, he calls you to come to him. Just as Bartimaeus threw off his ragged cloak so he could get to Jesus, you must “throw off” anything – bad habits – which keep you from being good and following Jesus. Ask Jesus to help you be good – to pray, to forgive, to share, to help, to give, and to love. By your good example you can help bring others to Jesus.
(Couture is a catechist at St. Aloysius Parish, West Allis.)
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