Take Heart

They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Jesus stood still and said, ‘Call him here.’ And they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take heart; get up, he is calling you.’ So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man said to him, ‘My teacher, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has made you well.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way. Mark 10:46-52

We know him by name. The blind beggar, Bartimaeus, was unwilling to be silenced. He was unwilling to keep quiet, despite the urging of friends, neighbors and even the disciples. Despite everyone's annoyance with him, it was Bartimaeus who was called to Jesus and received his healing. Sometimes our faith cannot be silent. For Bartimaeus, his faith made him whole, by his willingness to continue to speak up when the world wanted him shut up. We often picture faith as quiet, passive and silent. And yet Bartimaeus' faith was loud. We need to be loud sometimes to be faithful and we need to speak up for justice and healing.

Gracious Creator, your touch is healing

you provide our needs and mend us

repairing the circle, remaking the broken

and bind us all together with your love.

We silence those who speak for justice

we ignore those who cry out for healing

we pretend we are at peace with one another

all the while planning revenge and destruction.

Help us, Lord, to seek your healing today

let us cry out for the needs of the world

make us those who pray constantly

and act daily for the healing of the world. Amen.