Dear Friend of Carmel Mission,
Last weekend in my homilies I reflected on how frustrating it must have been at times for Jesus to work with His disciples. In the past weeks we have found them, on the whole, pre-occupied with personal gain, status, and Jesus’ supposed coming worldly glory. They were, at best, ignoring what Jesus was explicitly telling them about what awaited Him in Jerusalem, even going so far as to rebuke Him for telling them a truth which did not fit with their personal aspirations. Today in the Gospel we meet a kind of foil for their behavior and their attitude in the person of Bartimaeus.
Bartimaeus had no privilege to protect. He certainly had no encouragement, initially, from those around him, who tried to silence him and prevent him from coming to Jesus’ attention. Despite all that should have discouraged him, he had faith. Faith which caused him call out to Jesus with a messianic title, “Son of David.” Faith which inspired him to cast away his last possession, his ragged cloak, in his eagerness to approach Jesus. Ultimately Jesus says it was this faith that saves him. Finally freed to go his own way, Bartimaeus chooses to use his new freedom to follow Jesus.
There is a social theory known as poverty mindset. This mentality causes us to cling on to things, and perhaps people and ways of living, that may not be healthy for us. While it may seem obvious, it can be very difficult to let go of things, or people or ways of living, when we fear we may never be able to replace them, or live without them. It requires the example of a Bartimaeus, who had essentially nothing, to show us that all we truly need is faith. This week I invite you to join me in letting go of the unnecessary and trusting in the great gift of our faith.
I wish you and your loved ones continued blessings of good health, new hope and great faith,
Fr. Paul
Please take a moment to read our Carmel Mission Weekly Bulletin.