Master, I want to see

Mark 10:46-52, Luke 18:35-43

Today we hear blind Bartimaeus calling out for Jesus asking to be healed. He wasn’t asking for silly trinkets or earthly comforts. He wasn’t praying for a better job, a shorter commute, or a new car. He knew what he wanted, he knew where to go, and he knew Who to ask. 

Like Bartimaeus, I am blind. But unlike this faithful man, I am too proud to admit I am blind. I would often rather stumble in the dark than allow the world to know of my weaknesses. I am often afraid of their rebukes so I remain blind. Bartimaeus is a wonderful example of what can happen when I humble myself and cry out to Jesus.  He is a wonderful example of determination and a role model for ignoring the crowd.

Last week Jesus said to James and John, “What do you want me to do for you?” They asked for positions of power.  This week He says the exact same thing to Bartimaeus. These words must have stung the ears of James and John and his request must have filled them with shame.

I often ask God for stupid things or expect that I should get certain things when I ask because I am not like “those” sinners. Yet, when I hear Bartimaeus simply asking for sight I feel like a fool. Like when I ask God to let me win the lottery and my neighbor asks God to heal his wife of cancer.

Lord, help me to pray for those things that please You. Help my prayer always to be, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me. Master, let me receive my sight.“

My new book Did Jesus Have a Puppy? is now available for preOrder on our Etsy shop! 

In this delightfully illustrated rhyming book, children can wonder what life with a puppy may have been like for the Holy Family. In this book we imagine what sort of puppy Jesus might have had and if she did the same things our puppies do. The book also contains space for your puppy’s pictures, prayers to St. Roch and St. Francis, images to color, and more. Paperback, 25 pages, full-color.

Did you enjoy this post? Never miss a blog post from James M. Hahn by following now.