Homily: Feast of Justin Martyr

Feast of Justin Martyr (Mk: 10:46-52) “Do I See?”

When I have visited Rome, I have always been struck by how many beggars are in the streets. Outside every church people will be sitting trying to gather alms. Each person seems to have a different affliction. Some are blind. Others are missing one of their limbs. A mother might be holding a sick child.

The thing about all these people is that the problem that they have can be easily seen. You don’t have to ask what is wrong. Misery can be a universal language. There is so much suffering on display that one person would never have enough money to give to all those in need. There are so many people that are hurting that it is overwhelming and the destitute become like bricks in the street. A visitor will know they are there, but they are just part of the landscape.

Bartimaeus probably felt like he was being ignored by everyone. He could not see the people walking past, but he probably could feel them. When he heard that Jesus was passing by, however, he decided he would be ignored no more. He called out at the top of his lungs. He must have had to call loudly to be heard over the din.

He would not be silenced. Jesus heard him over all the noise. He paid attention to Bartimaeus despite being advised not to. There were probably many sick people lining the road. Why did Bartimaeus stick out. It had to be because he was determined to be heard. Also, it may be because he placed his hope in Jesus. He believed Jesus could do something.

Is our prayer more effective when we are determined. Is our prayer more helpful when we have a strong belief that Jesus is listening. If our prayer is halfhearted how does that affect it?

Let’s have confidence today that Jesus hears when others might not. He pays attention to our needs when others ignore us.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Do I bring my needs to Jesus every day? Do I pray only when I am in trouble?

2.   Do I have invisible wounds? What would happen if I took those to Jesus?

 Dear Parishioners,

           I wrote to all of you a few days ago concerning our need to accommodate different races and cultures. Today we received a shipment of Sunday missals that we have been waiting for months. These missals are a Spanish translation of the Mass. They are hard bound and contain the Sunday readings and all the Eucharistic prayers. The Spanish is on one side of the page. The English is on the other side. Hopefully these missals will help those who speak Spanish to pray with us at Mass.

          I thank the Altar Society for paying for these worship aids. We will have them available for those who would like to use them starting this weekend.

          May Our Lady pray for us today.

          Fr. Mark