Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

“What do you want me to do for you?” (Mk.10:51) I have always found this question intriguing. Being the Word Made Flesh, I picture Him as the answer-man. Saint John tells us that Jesus knew what was in the hearts of men (CF. Jn.2:24). Surprisingly, Jesus is presented as the one who often asks questions. He does not want anonymous devotees. His heart desires to enter into a personal relationship with the individual who comes to him. By asking questions, Jesus not only wants to know the individual’s heart, but he also wants the individual to know his. There, close to the heart of Christ, we discover that God’s loving kindness is at work, gently, silently and lovingly in our lives.

Jesus invites Bartimaeus to connect with his deepest desire. If we put ourselves in the blind man’s place, we can connect with our deepest desires. Some of our desires are noble and give glory to God, while others are tainted with self-gratification. Jesus wants us to know our hearts as he knows them. Jesus knows that if we can name our desires honestly, we can enter into a deeper relationship with him. As we enter into this heart-to-heart exchange with the Lord, he can help us sort out what is true from what is false. God is willing to hear us out when no one else is willing to take the time.

All of us have doubts, fears, and questions that need to be dealt with. We get so bogged down by conflicting challenges that we cannot see clearly to find the path we are meant to follow. We want an end to hatred and cruelty. We want love to conquer loneliness. We want joy to overcome sorrow. We want peace to overcome conflict. We want the light to overcome our darkness. As the list continues to get longer and longer, a gentle voice speaks to our hearts. “What do you want me to do for you?” The question is so simple and yet so profound.

The world is a mess. My life is out of control. Nothing I do seems to work. Hearing Jesus’s question stops me in my steps and takes my breath away. I can picture him looking at me as I lay face down in the dust. He stretches out his hand and gently helps me get back on my feet. As my eyes met his eyes, he asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” What a grace it is to find myself in the hands of the Savior of mankind, who came into the world to make all things new. Maybe it’s time I stop playing savior and started trusting the Man who is, because he can do far more than we could ask or imagine (CF. Eph. 3:20).

We have reached the moment of truth, the time of decision. Do I believe that Jesus is God’s Beloved Son who came into the world to save sinners? Do I believe that he laid down his life on the cross and rose from the dead so that I might have eternal life? Believing what I believe about Jesus, how will I answer his question: “What do you want me to do for you?” Pope John XXIII shared this wonderful insight. “Every believer in this world of ours must be a spark of light, a center of love, a vivifying leaven amidst his fellowmen: and he will be this all the more perfectly the more closely he lives in communion with God in the intimacy of his own soul. In fact, there can be no peace between men unless there is peace within each one of them: unless, that is, each one builds up within himself the order wished by God” (Pope John XXIII Peace on Earth, Holy Thursday, 4/11/1963).

God instructed us to call him “Father” and he is delighted his children come to him. This is the relationship he wants to have with us. He wants us to come to him in our time of need. Because He loves being our Father, we can count on him when we are weak or in trouble. In those moments, Christ’s strength can flow into our lives. King David wrote: “[God] fulfills the desires of those who fear him. He hears their cry and rescues them” (Ps. 145:19). God is ready and willing to hear the cry of the poor and answer their prayers. He is close to all who call upon his name. He dwells in them, they dwell in him. The prophet Jeremiah understood this. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with a deep longing” (Jer. 29:13). When we cry out to the Lord for help, we will encounter him whom our hearts desire; and we will be embraced by the One whose heart desires us. Close to the heart of God, locked in love’s embrace, we will be given the grace of insight. “Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter. We are the work of your hands” (Is. 64:8). As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are we in God’s hands. (CF. Jer.18:6). Imagine what life would be like if we truly wanted what the Lord wants us to have.

Blessed are You O Lord, who are powerful to save.

You sustain us with Your loving-kindness.

Give us wisdom, understanding and knowledge.

Make us eager to pursue the way of Your commandments.

Healing to all our ills, for you a faithful and merciful healer.

Grant peace, blessing, grace, and mercy to us and to all people.

Accept our prayer, for you are a God who graciously hears prayers. Amen

(Amidah)