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Gospel:

As Jesus drew near Jerusalem,
he saw the city and wept over it, saying,
“If this day you only knew what makes for peace–
but now it is hidden from your eyes.
For the days are coming upon you
when your enemies will raise a palisade against you;
they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides.
They will smash you to the ground and your children within you,
and they will not leave one stone upon another within you
because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”

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For the last three years, Jesus has exercised his public ministry. 

He’s forgiven sins, healed the sick, and even raised Lazarus from the dead. At one point, they crowds following him were so large they nearly trampled him to death.

But now his ministry is coming crashing to an end. He’s about to enter Jerusalem, the place where he’ll be killed.

From the very beginning, however, Jesus warned his disciples that this day was coming.

Now he’s just a week away.

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Consider what that means.

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For at least one thousand days, Jesus carried this knowledge in his heart that his public ministry will lead to his death.

And yet, he doesn’t turn away from it. He embraces it.

He perseveres to the end.

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Perhaps this is why he says to us, “Come to me all you who labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Jesus knows what it feels like to carry a heavy burden. He shows us how to persevere in times of trial through prayer and unrelenting confidence in his Father.

With Jesus by our side, we, too, can persevere through whatever life throws at us.

So, what burdens am I carrying that I might want to share with him?

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Let us pray.

Father, we lift up all who find themselves heavy burdened this day. May they persevere like Jesus, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

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There’s an old saying, “If you don’t use it, you lose it.”

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This is certainly true with languages.

For example, I spent ten years diligently studying Spanish until I became fluent. I was even reading Spanish newspapers and singing along with Mexican rock bands.

But, unfortunately, I haven’t spoken the language in a decade. Now I’d struggle to form a simple sentence!

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If you don’t use it, you lose it.

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The same is true with faith. 

We must study it, test it, practice it like a foreign language. The harder we try, the holier – and happier – we become.

But if we don’t use it, we lose it.

There’s no such thing as standing idle in the Christian life. Faith either grows or shrinks.

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So, what is my spiritual life like? Have I become complacent during this pandemic? 

Or, in spite of COVID and all of the regulations it inspires, have I found ways to deepen my relationship with Jesus?

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“To everyone who has,” Jesus says in today’s Gospel, “more will be given. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away” (Luke 19:27).

Meaning, put your faith into practice. 

“If you don’t use it, you lose it.”

So, how will I put my faith into practice today?

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Gospel:

As Jesus approached Jericho
a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging,
and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening.
They told him,
“Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”
The people walking in front rebuked him,
telling him to be silent,
but he kept calling out all the more,
“Son of David, have pity on me!”
Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him;
and when he came near, Jesus asked him,
“What do you want me to do for you?”
He replied, “Lord, please let me see.”
Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.”
He immediately received his sight
and followed him, giving glory to God.
When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.

The Gospel of the Lord.

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The story of this blind man, whom Mark tells us is named Bartimaeus, is all about seeing.

Yes, Bartimaeus has his physical sight restored. But that’s not what matters most. Someday Bartimaeus will close his eyes as his friends commend him to God.

In that sense, physical sight, and the miraculous healing of Bartimaeus’ eyes, has a shelf-life of only a few years.

What really matters is the fact that Bartimaeus sees with eyes of faith.

Meaning, he sees Jesus as Lord, something we all must do.

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This is the Gospel’s invitation to all of us – to see Jesus and the world around us in a new light, with eyes of faith.

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For example, as the new pastor/administrator of Saint Pius, the Lord is inviting me to see our parish with fresh eyes.

To see the many gifts and talents present in all of you; to see those in need of a shepherd; to see how we can share the Gospel in light of this pandemic – and beyond.

But what about you? Who or what are you being invited to see differently, or deeper?

Perhaps we need to see the present moment with a fresh set of eyes in order to feel a sense of hope.

Or maybe we need to see someone who’s hurt us in a different light.

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As we begin another week, may the words of Bartimaeus – a disciple of Jesus – become our own.

“Master, I want to see” – to see the good in myself, the good in others, and above all your presence within us.