Mark 10: 46 – 52

This week's reading is Mark 10 verses 46 to 52, the story of the healing of a blind beggar. Although in fact, what I found myself predominantly reflecting on was not the healing, though you're obviously welcome to discuss that bit too, but what preceded it.

Before Jesus calls Bartimeus to him, he has been at the roadside, calling out to Jesus. Jesus' followers, presumably with the best of intentions, believing they are helping or protecting Jesus, try to get him to stop. He doesn't.

And Jesus, in contrast to the crowd around him, doesn't try to shut him down, but rather calls him forward. And suddenly, those who have been telling Bartimeus to quieten down, to stay in the shadows, are the ones falling over themselves to help him up and get to Jesus.

I guess it set me thinking about where we see ourselves in the story, when we have been in the different roles represented, and how we respond to others in the story.

Bartimeus is at the roadside, desperate to encounter Jesus. Approaching Jesus would already be hard enough for him: someone who is physically disabled and almost certainly a social outcast. What he encounters when he tries is, at least initially, not help but further barriers in the way. He is told to be silent.

I was introduced recently to this Arundhati Roy quote .... "" It rings true, in communities, in society but also in the church.

Have we ever been in the position of Bartimeus. Trying to approach Jesus and finding others are keen to bar the way? How do we respond in that situation? Do we, like Bartimeus, continue to call out, or do we give up. Silent because silenced.

The followers of Jesus, the crowd around him, want Bartimeus to stop shouting out, to stop disturbing the proceedings. I think we can probably assume they are doing so with the best of intentions, although perhaps we could ask ourselves if they, or some of them, may have had more mixed motivations. How often have we been in the position of gate keeper, of being in a place to allow someone's voice to be heard or asking for it not to be. What do we do, why do we do it?

Enter Jesus. Bartimeus is called forward, and the followers are suddenly on his side. From trying to keep him quiet, they are now keen to encourage him to come forward. Have they had a genuine change of heart, realised their error, changed their ways? If so, next time there's a blind Bartimeus will they encourage him / her to come forward before Jesus intervenes? Or is this more about being seen to do the right thing, wanting to impress the person they see as holding the power? Do they help Bartimeus forward for his sake, or for their own? And once again I wonder, what about us? Have we had any moments of genuine realisation that we have played a part in the silencing of others? Have we tried to make amends, and if so, what ways have we found to give people back their voice, to help them to be seen? And / or have we also had times when our 'change of heart', our 'doing the right thing' has been more about repositioning ourselves in relation to the centre, to those we perceive to be important, those by whom we want to be recognised, appreciated or liked?

There is no indication as to how, or whether, Jesus reacts or responds to his followers' actions.

The story ends with Jesus addressing Bartimeus directly, asking him what he wants, letting him be heard and letting him be healed. Bartimeus uses what he has been gifted to follow Jesus. I wonder, when we feel heard, or when we help others to feel heard, how they/ we respond, what becomes possible as aresult.

1) What parts of the text strike you? What are your initial thoughts?

2) Have you ever tried to approach God (or something / someone else that really matters) and found others trying to silence or stop you? How did / would you respond?

3) Have you ever used your position to be part of silencing someone else? How and why?

4) Have you ever realised you have been part of silencing or excluding others? How have you tried to make amends?

5) Have you ever done good but known that really you are doing so for personal gain or position? Does it matter ... is the good still valid?

6) How does your life change when you feel heard?