The ancients referred to sight as the "Queen of the Senses." Imagine being unable to see all of the wonderful things in our daily lives. When cataract surgery was first introduced, people who had an accumulation of tissue, sometimes for decades, were able to see again. It was too much for some to process. Others had first to adjust to patches of colour and then gradually to associate them with substance. Sight is that fundamental.
Our pericope today is the story of the healing of blind beggar Bartimaeus. Like all miracle stories, this tale is not intended to demonstrate that Jesus could do magic. Its purpose is to convey a deeper message: Bartimaeus comes to ask for more than money (sight) but then receives more than he asked for (relationship with God.) He emerges an exemplar of trust and joyful acceptance of discipleship.
Let's ask two questions about this story, relevant to our spiritual health and mission. First, when we are truly sighted, what are we supposed to see? Carryl Houselander was a great American mystic who died in the last century. In a key vision, she was looking out the window of her small garret in London, when she saw a bus full of people. As she watched, she realized that every single man, woman, and child had the face of Jesus! A good reminder that God loves all his children and calls today for us to serve all -- not to judge or exclude anyone.
In the Middle Ages, the story is told of a famous rabbi who one day asked his disciples to tell him how one knows when night is past and it is daytime. A disciple suggested the ability to differentiate man from woman. Another suggested being able to distinguish between two different kinds of trees. And so forth. The rabbi then told them the answer to his riddle: unless you can look into the face of any man or any woman and see there the face of your brother and sister, it is still night, no matter what time it is.
Second, how do we adopt an attitude of prayer that will allow us to see in this open, inclusive way? Bartimaeus is our key, as he prayed, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" The attitude of true humility is essential. Remember the parable of the pharisee and the publican? The pharisee prays about all his virtues -- he tithes and follows the commandments, even exceeding some -- and thanks God he is not like that publican (tax agent) over there who has simply prayed, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner." Jesus said the publican is justified for God, the pharisee is not. This kind of humility certainly is not popular in our age of self-promotion, cutthroat competition, and self-actualization. Yet, the right kind of humility is not putting yourself down or cultivating low self-esteem., but to acknowledge who you are in relationship to the Divine. When I first became acquainted with the Episcopal Church, I asked a wise old priest why Episcopalians kneel to pray. He replied: Kneeling reminds us of who's who in this equation.
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