Daily Readings - Thu May 27 2021
Mark
46And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside.47And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"48And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"49And Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart. Get up; he is calling you."50And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.51And Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" And the blind man said to him, "Rabbi, let me recover my sight."52And Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on God’s presence and action in the world. The first reading from Sirach invites us to contemplate the wonders of God’s creation and the wisdom that underlies all of existence. The author marvels at the order of the universe, the depth of God’s knowledge, and the way all things reflect his glory. This text reminds us that creation itself is a revelation of God’s majesty and that his wisdom is woven into every detail of the world. The second reading from Mark’s Gospel shifts our focus to a specific moment of divine intervention: the healing of Bartimaeus, a blind man who cries out to Jesus for mercy. Despite the crowd’s attempts to silence him, Bartimaeus persists in his plea, and his faith is rewarded when Jesus restores his sight.
These readings are connected by their emphasis on the active presence of God in the world. In Sirach, we see God’s power and wisdom in the vastness of creation, while in Mark, we witness God’s personal and transformative touch in the life of an individual. Together, they remind us that God is both the Creator of the universe and the Savior who meets us in our specific needs and struggles. Bartimaeus’s persistence and faith serve as an example for us: like him, we must not be afraid to cry out to God, even when others try to silence us or discourage us.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Do we recognize God’s presence in the world around us? Do we trust in his wisdom and providence? Like Bartimaeus, we are all called to approach God with humility and faith, acknowledging our limitations and inviting him to act in our lives. May we, like the blind man, cast aside our fears and doubts, and leap into the embrace of God’s grace. In doing so, we will find not only healing but also a deeper understanding of his love and a renewed commitment to follow him on the way.