Worship and Evangelization Outreach / Jenny Bryans

Story of Bartimaeus reminds us to open the eyes of our hearts

How does God see us?

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’ ” (1 Sm 16:7).

God is concerned with looking at our hearts. Our human nature often doesn’t do the same.

We are quick to judge with our eyes at first glance. But how often do we get it wrong? God calls us to go deeper, to see with our heart, to look past the physical. How do we do that? One way is to take the time to listen to someone’s story. We learn so much about someone’s heart through their personal story.

Growing up with a brother who is disabled, I often experienced the interaction of strangers whenever we were in public. Some of these were good, but many times people would stare and look a little afraid. I wanted to tell them, “He’s really a great guy if you just get to know him. He isn’t so scary; he has a sense of humor, and he loves to sing.”

Jesus has many personal encounters with people with disabilities in the Bible. They are often seeking him to be cured of different ailments, diseases and disabilities. One such interaction is in Mark’s Gospel, when Jesus meets a man that is blind and begging on the roadside:

They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way. (Mk 10:46-52)

Jesus asks Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mk 10:51). He doesn’t assume he needs to see just because he is blind. He listens to his request. He empowers him to share his need.

Everyone else sees and knows Bartimaeus as a blind beggar, an outcast by society. Jesus knew what Bartimaeus really needed was to be heard, to be included, to have his dignity. We also can align our hearts with Jesus. We don’t need to heal someone’s blindness as Jesus did, but if we see with our hearts and listen, we can help them with what they need.

Who do we need to start seeing with our heart and reaching out to them, to give them a voice, helping them to feel included, loved and letting them know they belong to the body of Christ?
 

(Jenny Bryans is the archdiocese’s Disabilities Ministries Coordinator. She can be reached at 317-236-1448 or jbryans@archindy.org.) †