Daily Readings - Thu May 27 2021
Mark
46And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.47And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.48And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.49And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.50And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.51And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.52And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in 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.