24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The episode given us in the Gospel for today comes immediately after the cure of the blind man at Bethsaida (Mk 8: 22-26). In that healing the man has his sight restored gradually. Applying this to the disciples and to Peter, in particular, their understanding of Jesus' identity and ministry was incomplete. This is illustrated most clearly in Peter having the temerity to rebuke Jesus when he foretells his Passion and resurrection. He is still attached to a worldly concept to messiahship. Other misunderstandings, about Jesus and what it means to be a disciple, follow in subsequent chapters. These include quarrels as to who is the greatest (Mk 9: 33-37), the importance of riches (Mk 10: 23-31) and the desire for status (Mk 10: 35-45). It is Bartimaeus who cries out: "Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!" (Mk 10: 47) who comes to kneel before Jesus, naked and trembling and says: "My teacher, let me see again." (Mk 10: 51) He has a limited understanding about Jesus yet he knows what he wants. He desires not to be the greatest or to be rich or to have status but only to see. Jesus responds: "Go; your faith has made you well." (Mk 10: 52) It is in this way that we can understand why Peter is lacking when he remonstrates with Jesus. Jesus replies to him: "Get behind me Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things." (Mk 8: 32) 

The only way that we can see Jesus for who he is and bear the scandal of the cross is by faith. This means that we must approach God not from a position of strength but of weakness. When we understand this we will have the sight to see the truth and to follow Jesus as a true disciple just as Bartimaeus did: "Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way." (Mk 10: 52) Saint Paul understood this when he said: "So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor 12: 9-10)