What do you want me to do for you?

22Aug
As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, bar-Timaeus, son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When bar-Timaeus heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher,* let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.

Mark 10:46-52


The crowds attracted by the charismatic rabbi from Nazereth had become the topic of conversation across the province. Some thought him a prophet, others a revolutionary. All I knew was, I seemed to be the only one among my associates who did not have a story about contact with this Jesus of Nazareth.

 

Today, all that changes; it’ll be different this time. I’m going into the hills to wait for him.

 

The road from Jericho to Jerusalem travels south along the western edge of the dry, Jordan River delta, then turns west as it begins the climb into the hill country toward Jerusalem. I choose to wait here for Jesus because I know the crowd will have been thinned by the arduous climb.

 

I am in the shade of an outcropping just after the road makes a sharp switchback. I am squatting next to bar-Timaeus, the blind beggar. We all know who he is; he is always in the temple foyer boisterously calling for help. He smells of sweat and urine and fermented goat milk. I should be able to engage the rabbi from here if he notices me. On the other side of bar-Timaeus is a young potter, on his way to Jerusalem to deliver a bag of wine goblets.

 

As the dust is stirred downhill, the young potter tells bar-Timaeus we can see the approaching knot of the rabbi’s followers. The blind man says,“I know.” There is a low murmur, the shuffling of sandals on the rocky path, and the bleat of a single lamb on a tether. The animal is to be sold at the temple in Jerusalem. The smell of agitation mixes with the dust. Then the Nazarene Rabbi appears. He is un-impressive in appearance, but powerfully magnetic.

 

The blind man becomes agitated; he calls out to Jesus. We shush him for breaking the hot silence…this is not how I wanted this to unfold.

 

Jesus stops and lifts his arms chest high, palms down. On his signal, the murmur dies to a dead silence save for the cry of the lamb. Rabbi Jeshua calls for bar-Timaeus by name. Now, seems to me to be a safe time to become involved, so the potter and I offer our arms to the blind beggar and lead him to the rabbi. The potter’s bag of goblets falls, breaking all, save one.

 

Jesus places a hand on each side of bar-Timaeus’ uplifted head and presses a thumb into each eye-socket. He asks, “Gentle son of Timaeus; what do you want me to do for you?” “Let me see again, master!” the blind beggar answers. Now I am ashamed. I came to be a part in such a moment and once again, I am, at best, an accessory. Why am I always at the edges?

 

Imagine the powerful hands of Love incarnate cradling your face as the voice of Salvation asks you, “My beloved, what do you want me to do for you?” Imagine it. Maybe. Try living it, because it happens every day, whether we ask for it or not. “What do you want me to do for you?” Be prepared to answer; be bold.


Musical Reflection - Margaret Rizza - Oculi Mei


My Savior, I am so tired of being stirred and not being changed. By your Grace, grant me the clarity and the spine to embrace the change you offer, and to follow you on the way. Amen.

Growth

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