30TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B

Jeremiah 31:7-9

Psalm 125

Hebrew 5:1-6

Mark 10:46-52

“I WANT TO SEE”

The readings of today celebrate God who is a miracle-worker, who delivers his people and restores them to integrity and peace. In this perspective, the second reading reminds us that the priesthood is not a right but a gift of God and must be lived as such. It is God who calls some men from among his people to represent them in their relationship with him. And through these chosen men, God continues to work wonders among his people and to save them.  

In the first reading, God promises liberation and restoration to his people in exile. He himself would lead them out of slavery and bring them to their own land. Thus, the psalmist celebrates the fidelity of God who accomplished his promise by delivering the Israelites from captivity and bondage. 

The gospel narrates the story of a man whom Jesus restored from his blindness. This man is identified as Bartimaeus, meaning “son of Timaeus”. He was a man with no proper name and no social status. He was a blind man and a beggar, sitting on the road side. But his encounter with Jesus, the Son of David, changed his situation. He regained his sight. 

Each of us needs such a transforming and healing encounter with the Lord. Some of us have no vision and direction for our life. Others cannot recognize the marvels God works for them so as to appreciate him. Still others have their sight, but cannot see the beauty of life and its meaning. Others too are unable to see the needy around them. There is therefore the need to throw off our cloak of fear, individualism, self-pity and social tagging and come to Jesus for healing. 

Moreover, Bartimaeus is given to us today as a model of faith: a faith that cries out to God in time of need. A faith that is not easily put off but perseveres amid obstacles, oppositions and discouraging comments of others. A faith that remains firm and always celebrates God. May the Lord open our eyes to see beyond the opacity of our life events and recognize his hand that guides and heals us. Amen

29TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B

Isaiah 53:10-11

Psalm 32

Hebrews 4:14-16

Mark 10:35-45

We do not serve a heartless and indifferent God. We serve a living, loving, compassionate and faithful God. Out of his infinite love, he sent his Son Jesus Christ into the world for the salvation of mankind. Thus, by dying on the cross, Jesus gave his life as a ransom for his brothers, liberating them from the slavery of sin and death. We can therefore identify Jesus Christ with the Suffering Servant in the prophecy of Isaiah.

In effect, the prophet Isaiah spoke of an anonymous servant of God, who would give his life as an offering for the multitude. By his suffering and death, he would justify many (Is. 53:10-11). The author of the Letter to the Hebrews also presents Jesus as the compassionate High Priest, who by his own suffering is capable of sympathizing with us in our sufferings and weaknesses. Thus, we can approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, having the assurance that he will show us mercy and help us in time of need (Heb. 4:14-16).

In the gospel, the sons of Zebedee, James and John, made a request to Jesus. They were eager to secure seats at the right and left of Jesus in his glory. In replying to their request Jesus made a reference to the cup he would drink and the baptism he would be baptized with. The images of cup and baptism refer to the humiliation, suffering and death he had to undergo for the salvation and redemption of mankind. By his Passion and death, Jesus gave his life as a ransom for many and left us a perfect example of humble and selfless service to others as the way to greatness (Mark 10:35-45).

We should not therefore be afraid because we have someone who has suffered for us. we have someone who has been tempted like us in every respect, except sin. We have to trust in him in every situation. In difficult moments, we should not despair but go to him for help. Let us pray therefore that the Lord may grant us faith so as to approach his throne of mercy every moment of our life. May he teach us to serve one another, knowing that real power is service. Amen.

28TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B

Wisdom 7:7-11

Ps 89:12-17

Hebrews 4:12-13

Mark 10:17-30

THE RICH MAN 

The Word of God is alive and active. It works like a double-edged sword; it penetrates our inner being and reveals our secret thoughts (cf. Heb. 4:12-13). Yes, the Word of God always challenges us. Today, it challenges us to take a fresh look at our attitude towards riches and material possessions. Indeed, material possessions are good and necessary for our well-being; but the danger is that they can easily possess us instead of we possessing them, in which case, we become slaves to our wealth. 

In today’s gospel, a rich man came to Jesus, and kneeling before him, he asked: “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” This question reveals his deep quest for salvation which is the ultimate reward for good life. He was a genuine man who had observed the commandments of God from his youthful age. But there was something lacking: detachment from his wealth. Since he was too much attached to his wealth, he forfeited the joy of following Jesus. He went away very sad, when Jesus told him to go, sell all his belongings, give to the poor, and then come to follow him. His riches, or better still, his attitude towards his riches, became an obstacle for him to follow the Lord and inherit the life he was searching for. 

Indeed, asking a rich man to let go all his riches and follow an itinerant preacher was not a light decision to take on the road side. But the request of Jesus and his subsequent interaction with his disciples show us that the way to holiness is not merely observing the law. It demands detachment from earthly possessions in order to live for God and for others. It demands a breakup with what promises material comfort. 

The disciples had left everything to follow Jesus; so, their reward would be great. Likewise, the author of the book of Wisdom held everything, including power, riches, social status, privilege and beauty as nothing before the wisdom of God (Wis. 7:7-11). St Paul also considered everything he had gained in life as rubbish because of the surpassing value of knowing Jesus Christ the Saviour (cf. Phil 3:8). We too need to detach ourselves from material possessions so as to follow Jesus in freedom, and accept what he wants to give us, persecutions included. May he bless and keep all of us. Amen.

27TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B

Genesis 2:18-24

Psalm 127

Hebrews 2:9-11

Mark 10:2-16

THEY SHALL BE ONE

Nowadays, homosexual unions, promiscuity and trial marriage are hailed, defended, legalized and celebrated. When things go wrong in marriage, many spouses think about divorce. But today’s readings tell us something different.

The first reading reminds us that marriage was willed by God himself. God created man and woman so that they may become one for life. They were created equal so as to know and accept each other in their differences. When the man saw the woman, he was very happy because he had found a helper, somebody to be with (Gen. 2:18-24). Marriage is therefore to be enjoyed, not to be endured, for it is meant for the fulfillment and wellbeing of the spouses as well as for the care and growth of children.

In becoming “one body” in marriage, the spouses are united for life. Hence to dissolve the marital bond is to go against God’s will: “So then, what God has united, man must not divide,” says Jesus to the Pharisees who asked him if it was allowed to divorce one’s wife (Mark 10:2-16). Marriage is a lifelong commitment. It is indissoluble. As such, the marital bond cannot be broken without breaking the hearts of a human person. 

What can we do therefore to keep our marriage for life? First, let’s us love like children. I admire children for their simplicity, humility and unconditional trust. They can quarrel and fight, but shortly after come together to play again; they have short memories of the pains, hurts and humiliations caused by their peers or playmates. So, when there are misunderstandings, hurts and problems in your marriage, do not quit. Choose the way of dialogue, forgiveness and reconciliation. Be humble and say “I am sorry”, when you are wrong, or “Thank you” to show appreciation.

Lastly, let Christ have a place in your marriage. The second reading tells us that Jesus is both the Son of God and our brother. He was made lower than the angels so as to sanctify us and become our brother (Heb. 2,9-11). If Jesus is our brother, then it is as a family that we can meet him more intimately. His presence thus becomes a source of blessing, peace and consolation for the family; for a family without Christ is a family with crises. May he bless our homes with peace, joy and fruitfulness. Amen.