God Works Great Miracles

10-24-2021Weekly ReflectionFr. Anthony Okolo, C.S.Sp

The Prophet Jeremiah in the first reading presents us with God’s infinite and gratuitous love for His people. It is a message of hope and a proclamation of salvation to the remnant of Israel. Yahweh promises to bring back His people in exile from the lands to which they have been scattered. Jeremiah is known at times for his prophecy of disasters, and catastrophes, the only words he seemed to be able to utter were threats. In today’s passage he announces good news to the people. He invites all to be cheerful and make merry, for according to him, God is about to work great miracles in their midst. God will liberate the people of Israel, who have been in exile in Nineveh for about a hundred years to return to their land.

In the same way, God’s blessings of mercy, restoration and healing is what I pray for you as we are gradually coming to the end of this year 2021. May the same good news of restoration and freedom announced by Jeremiah to his people be your blessing that you be liberated from anything affecting your life at this moment. The second reading tells us that the high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. The passage gives insight of the priestly ministry which is rooted in offering prayers and sacrifices for himself and on behalf of the people of God.

Mark in the Gospel presents us with the healing of Bartimaeus the blind beggar. It is also a classic case of God’s love and concern for the plight of people, the plight of men and women who are broken by life’s challenges and sin. He is not indifferent to these daily challenges experienced by His people, thus intervenes to liberate the people. The healings, miracles, and cures recorded in the scripture are evident of His love to alleviate the situation of people and lift them up from their oppressed condition. The healing of Bartimaeus tells us the conditions necessary for the miracle of God. It is a clear story of one, who would not want Jesus to pass him by without hearing His voice, who would not allow the opportunity to reach Jesus to pass him by notwithstanding the obstacles. Some of the obstacles may be people in the same faith community with you.

Jesus was on his way to Passover. It was a custom in Israel that when a distinguished Rabbi or teacher was on such a journey he was surrounded by a great crowd of people and disciples and learners who listened to him as he talks to them while he walks. Those who for some reason cannot join such a crowd will line up along the road just to get a glimpse of what was happening. So Bartimaeus was one of such people who sat along the road. When he heard the tramp of feet, he asked what was happening and who was passing. He was told it was Jesus. There and then he began to shout, Jesus’ Son of David have mercy on me. The people tried to stop him, to silence him but no one was going to take from him his chance to escape from the world of darkness and cried out more with loud voice, and violent persistence. When his shouts attracted Jesus, that the procession had to stop and he was brought to Jesus. It was a desperate desire, and it is this desperate desire that gets things done.

May your voice get Jesus’ attention today?

Happy Sunday to you all.

Fr. Tony Okolo

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