Reflections on the readings for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (October 24, 2021): JER 31:7-9; PS 126:1-2,2-3,4-5,6; HEB 5:1-6; MK 10:46-52
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
Let us also “speak” of our faith, through our prayers and financial help.
Today we celebrate World Mission Sunday. It is our yearly opportunity to honor our life as Catholics through the special call we received at Baptism to be missionaries. It also reminds us of the service offered by the Church’s missionaries in bearing Christ’s message of salvation to all people in all lands. The Gospel for this Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time is wonderfully appropriate in revealing the life-changing joy that can come to us as followers of our Lord and Redeemer. We meet Jesus as He is traveling with His disciples and a crowd of people who want to stay in His company as long as possible. They pass a blind man sitting by the side of the road begging. His name is Bartimaeus. Obviously, he has already heard of Jesus’ message and miracles; so he shouts out, acknowledging Jesus as the Son of David and asking for His pity. The people try to quiet him; after all, he is loud and annoying and trying to get Jesus’ attention. But He hears Bartimaeus and tells the others to send him forward. “He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him… ‘What do you want Me to do for you?’ The blind man replied to Him, ‘Master, I want to see.’ Jesus told him, ‘Go on your way; your faith has saved you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed Him on the way” (Mark 10:50-52).
This man, a blind beggar, would have been of little account to his neighbors. Yet he was able to see more clearly than many who followed Jesus. He already believed that He was the Messiah and trusted Him to heal his blindness. The way he jumped up to run to our Lord and then instantly followed Him when he received his sight reveal just how much Bartimaeus rejoiced, not only in having his eyes opened, but also in his faith. Unlike many who believe, he did not hesitate to express his gratitude with exuberance. Let us willingly show our belief in the Christ who heals spiritual blindness as joyfully as Bartimaeus – for all the world to see.
On this World Mission Sunday, let us also “speak” of our faith, through our prayers and financial help to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. Our generosity on this Sunday, combined with what is offered in churches and chapels around the globe, join us to the efforts of missionaries who proclaim the Gospel and serve the poor.
For resources for the celebration of World Mission Sunday, visit this website