‘What do you want me to do for you?’
Our Scripture today invites us to worship Christ Jesus, who opens our eyes to the marvels that he has done for us as our high priest, and reveals to us the Father. The readings also assure us that our God never abandons us, even in our bondage.
Using tender, compassionate imagery, Jeremiah addresses the exiled people of Israel with a poem of restoration. He promises that God will bring them home again: they will be restored to their own land, and God’s loving purpose will again be triumphant. (First Reading)
The account of the miracle in the Gospel reveals another type of restoration: the restoration of sight to Bartimaeus, the blind beggar at the roadside who cries out to Jesus in desperation. Not only is Bartimaeus healed and his sight restored, but he also models discipleship by following Jesus without hesitation.
In the Second Reading from Hebrews, the theme of restoration appears again: Christ Jesus is our compassionate high priest who restores us as daughters and sons of God.
The Psalm is a pilgrim song of hope and joy, reminding us of God’s goodness in the past and his ongoing deliverance of his people.
This week, we pray for the eyes of our heart and mind to be opened, so that we might receive the life-giving revelations and blessings of Jesus. We also pray for all who are living lives of bondage and slavery in our world today, and seek God’s guidance as to how we can help.
