Sunday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Intention: That the darkness of stigma, exclusion, and marginalization might be dispelled by the light of compassion, respect, and welcome for every person as a child of God.
Today’s Gospel | Mark 10:46-52
As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging. On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.” Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.
From the Fourth Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
This must be your goal when you instruct your disciples, that they live a Christian life and that your words become spirit and life for them. Your words will accomplish this because 1) they will be produced by the Spirit of God living in you, and 2) they will procure the Christian spirit for your disciples.
In possessing this spirit, which is the Spirit of Jesus Christ, they will live that true life which is so valuable to us because it leads surely to eternal life.
Prayer
Eternal Father, your Son taught us that to love you, we must embrace and love one another, no matter our differences. We pray that we will live our lives with humility and compassion, always welcoming one another and acknowledging our need for each other. Open our hearts to all, especially anyone who is being ignored, rejected, or forgotten. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.