By now, Jesus is getting closer to Jerusalem. This walk has now consumed the better part of a week, but as we consider the fact that many migrants trying to reach the U.S. border walk for several weeks, a week seems short. Scripture just has bits and pieces of events that occurred on the walk, such as the healing of the bind man in Jericho, a little more than halfway towards Jerusalem.
The healing of Bartimaeus is just one of the acts of mercy along the way. In a sense, it’s a wonderful parable because Bartimaeus, who is blind, recognizes who Jesus is while many who can see do not recognize him. In the same way, we often do not recognize what is right before our eyes: the unbelievable grinding poverty or fear of violence that drives people to make such a perilous journey to the border.
The question for us is how we reflect the mercy Jesus showed in healing Bartimaeus. How can we help to heal the scourges of poverty and fear? True, we do not hold the power to heal everything, but to use our wealth and power as a Nation to address some of the reasons people feel driven to flee, reflect the mercy Jesus showed the blind man.
Prayer for the Day
O Compassionate God, we are often bewildered,
For we see such violence and callousness toward one another;
Afflicted by our careless acts of selfishness against others,
We are uncertain of the goals we set for ourselves.
Save us from our false pride that admits no wrong,
And teach us how to share what we have.
In the name of the One who showed mercy,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
The only real question with wealth is, what do you do with it?
John D. Rockefeller, industrialist (1839-1937)
I’m not convinced that the opposite of poverty is wealth. I’ve come to believe that the opposite of poverty is justice.
Bryan Stevenson, attorney, Founder Equal Justice Imitative
O lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen?
Or cry to you, “Violence!” and you will not save?
Why do you make me see wrongdoing and look at trouble?
Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise,
So the law becomes slack and justice never prevails.
The wicked surround the righteous – therefore justice comes forth perverted.
Habakkuk 1: 1-4