Miserere | Mercy

When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" – Mk. 10:47 (NRSV)

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Dear friends in Christ Jesus, in this passage we come across Jesus healing the blind Bartimaeus. The blind man came to know that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by and started shouting in a loud voice asking Jesus to show mercy on him. This makes it clear for us that the blind man had already heard a lot about Jesus and he was confident that Jesus could heal him. Towards the end of the passage Jesus tells the blind man, "Go; your faith has made you well." It was the strong faith of this blind man which cured him of his blindness.

Two things which inspired me the most from this passage is that his perseverance in calling out to Jesus for mercy, even when others rebuked him. He never bothered what others would think and he just kept on shouting, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" In our lives too, when we are in need of God's mercy let us never give up, but rather go on pleading with him until he grants our needs. 'Hope does not disappoint' (Romans 5:5). 

The second thing that inspired me the most, is once the blind man regained his sight he followed Jesus on the way. It is not that we receive God's mercy and just keep quiet, but in return God wants us to respond to him. God wants us to be instruments in his hands helping people to glorify God. 

We receive mercy from God and we also need to show mercy towards all. Let us glorify God through our works of mercy.

Reflection on Mark 10:46-52 by Fr. George Joseph SVD

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