Thirtieth Sunday of Year B - 25th October 2009

"Lord, that we might see"

Salvation is a word we so often use in religious conversation without being too sure of its meaning. Probably most of us think of salvation as having to do with getting to heaven.

However, the prophet Jeremiah only thought of God as saving his people in the here and now, offering them comfort, shade and fresh water. For him these are symbols of salvation.

The author of Hebrews by contrast was very aware of heaven but for him salvation came about through the solidarity shown by Jesus who became human like us, so that we might become like him.

In the gospel Bartimaeus sees Jesus as the source of his salvation, someone who could restore his physical sight. He "saw" the possibility and grasped his opportunity. Even though those around him did not see as he did and tried to stop him. His plea to Jesus was unequivocal. 'Lord, let me see again'. He was not disappointed.

However with his sight returned, he was no longer qualified to beg. He had to build a radically new life as a person with sight. The fact that we know his name indicates that he became a follower of Jesus and was a member of the early Christian community. Indeed the Gospel mentions that 'he followed Jesus along the road'. His faith in Jesus, the Son of David, was central to his ability to build a new life. May we pray not only to be set free from whatever imprisons us but also for the faith and courage we need to continue building our life anew in Christ.

Should Jesus ask us, 'What do you want me to do for you?' we would be more than ready with a thousand and one requests but many of these would be futile. Perhaps, before making our requests we should pause and reflect on where Jesus is wishing to lead us and ask ourselves what are the areas of selective blindness that we have to tackle in our lives? Or if we allow Jesus to open our eyes fully, what change might that require of us? Insight is every bit as important as sight.

What comes across strongly in the readings today, is that God never abandons us and that when we speak of salvation we are speaking of the ways in which God brings us to himself, a process which begins now. Lord, that we may see!