I WANT TO SEE

The story of Bartimaeus, who is blind and beggar, is a masterpiece of Mark (Mk 10:46-52). It is the last healing miracle of Jesus before His entry to Jerusalem. It points to the total healing that Jesus will perform on the Cross. God restores wholeness. Jesus restores our original integrity: created in the likeness and image of God. Salvation is wholeness, completeness, integrity so that we become undivided in our love. The irony is that Bartimaeus was physically blind but he recognized Jesus, calling Him, Son of David. It is a messianic title that points to the Messiah as the descendant of David. He saw Jesus as the Messiah who has the power to heal the blind. Isaiah already prophesied that the Messiah will make the deaf hear, the lame walk, the mute speak, the blind see, the lepers are cleansed and the dead are raised to life (Isa 35:5). This is the inauguration of the Kingdom of God. The kingdom of wholeness has arrived. When Jesus asked Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” he replied, “I want to see.” This is a humble and simple plea made in faith. He persisted in calling Jesus even if the crowd rebuked him. He was determined to get the attention of Jesus. To see here is deep and profound. It is to see through the eyes of faith: to know the real meaning and purpose of life, and that is service because service is love in action. To see is to have wisdom, direction, to be people of vision so that we know where God is to be found. In fact, after he was healed by Jesus, he followed Him on the way to Jerusalem, to the Cross and to the open tomb. Seeing becomes following. He regained his sight, his place in society and became a disciple of Jesus. True seeing is to follow Jesus, to be His servants and to imitate His total self giving. The story of Bartimaeus is a story of relationship. At the beginning of the story, we found him sitting by the roadside begging. He and Jesus were strangers. At the end of the story, we find him following Jesus on the way. It is a new relationship, a radical conversion. At the end of the story, we find him following Jesus on the way. It is a new relationship, a radical conversion. We need Jesus to heal us from our blindness that keeps us from seeing the path that leads to God’s heart. Jesus heals us from our blindness that keeps us from accepting the crosses that come along the way. When we are healed, we become wounded healers and bring God’s mercy and love to others.