THE ROAD TO GOD

There are three statements that Jesus uttered when He healed Bartimaeus. Let us reflect on the spiritual significance of each statement.

1. “CALL HIM.” (Mk. 10,46) Aside from being blind, Bartimaeus was at the roadside begging. He was one of the outcasts marginalized in society. When he cried out to Jesus for pity, people rebuked him to be silent. How would you feel if you were Bartimaeus–poor, blind and rejected? I guess you would feel not only worthless but also hopeless. When Jesus called him, perhaps he already saw a ray of light even in his blindness. Encouragement from those around his mat also boosted his morale. The "Call of Jesus” gave Bartimaeus hope. He was no longer at the side of the road, he was on the road to recovering his sight. Do you also feel rejected and worthless in life? Do not feel hopeless, Jesus must be passing by and calling you. Listen and open your heart to Him.

2. “What do you want me to do for you? (Mk. 10,51) Even though Bartimaeus rushed to Jesus when He called him, healing did not come on a silver platter. Jesus asked him what he wanted. One wonders why Jesus had to draw this from him. Wasn’t it obvious that he was blind? I think Jesus wanted Bartimaeus to recognize and articulate his need. He also wanted to check whether he was aware of the most important thing in life to be happy. Remember that he was a beggar. He could have asked for money instead. Yet, he told Jesus that among other things, he wanted to see. What do you really want Jesus to do for you? There are many things you can wish for? Ask for what is really the most important. Ask for Him.

3. “Go your way, your faith saved you.” (Mk. 10,52) When Bartimaeus received his sight, he must have felt the excitement to see and appreciate everything he had never seen when he was blind. There were many roads to take, considering that he was no longer at the margins. Jesus impressed upon him that his healing and his salvation were born out of his deep faith in God. Because of his faith, there was only one road to take, the way of God. So Bartimaeus followed Jesus. If you have received blessings from God, what do you plan to do with these blessings? If you have experienced the grace of healing from Jesus, what do you plan to do with your life? GO THE WAY OF GOD. FOLLOW HIM AND LIVE A HAPPY AND FAITHFUL LIFE.

#65. A STORY ON BLINDNESS: A blind man tells this story on himself. I went blind for twenty years. At first, I walked along pitying myself. Then one day my 11yr old daughter said something that gave my life a boost forever. One Saturday, she came to me and asked me to build her a periscope so she could look over tall things like fences. I told her that all she had to do was go out and buy me a couple of small mirrors. She came running back within minutes, in less than an hour, with help of cardboard and scissors and sticky tape, a periscope came off my workbench. Susan hurried to demonstrate her new toy to the boys next door. “My daddy made that,” she told him casually. “Your daddy made that?” he objected. “But your daddy is blind.” “Yes, my daddy is blind,” she repeated. “But he’s not blind with his hands.”

- David Blackhall in Readers’ Digest

This Sunday is Priesthood Sunday. Let us pray for all priests especially our pastor. It is also National World Youth Day (USA). On the 31st, it is Halloween. Nov. 1 is the Solemnity of All Saints and it’s a Holy Day of Obligation. There will be a Mass at 6PM at evening of November 1st as well as the regular Mass at 8AM . On the 2nd, it is the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day) Two Masses will be celebrated at 8AM and a 6PM for all our deceased especially those on the TREE OF LIFE. On the 3rd, the Patriotic Rosary will be prayed and the regular Marian Mass for our adorers will be celebrated. This is all for now, watch for the next bulletin.

Your Priest-Servant and Parochial Administrator,

Fr. Reggie