Sermon  

St. Mary Nanoose Bay October 28, 2018. Mark 10:46-52  

Open our ears, O Lord, to hear your word and know your voice.                

Be careful what you ask for! Did you hear about the 60 year old man who was given one wish by a genie. He didn’t hesitate, “I wish my wife was 30 years younger than me.” “Your wish is my command,” said the genie, and vanished. The man turned around. There was his wife of many years, looking exactly the same. She gasped. “Look in the mirror,” she said. He did. There looking back at him was a 90 year old man!              

In last week’s gospel reading we heard Jesus ask the same question, word for word, – “What is it that you want me to do for you?”            

Last week, the question was directed at the disciples James and John, this week to Bartimaeus, a blind man Jesus was passing on his way out of Jericho.            

Well, the question was the same, but how completely different were the responses!   

Interesting juxtaposition! It’s no accident that the writer of the gospel of Mark puts these two stories side by side. Because the two responses show how people saw Jesus – as a healer and messenger of God, or as someone who could enhance their position.            

James and John wanted “to sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” Bartimaeus wants to be healed. James and John were blind and didn’t know it. Bartimaeus was blind and wanted to see again. James and John had been with Jesus for a long time and are confused. Bartimaeus is very clear - he “saw” his one moment, his opportunity, and seized it. – he sees very clearly who Jesus and what he is able to do. He names his problem and asks Jesus, “My teacher, let me see again.”            

So who was the better disciple?            

Isn’t it interesting that the ones who spent most of their waking hours in the company of Jesus could be so blind? And someone who had never met Jesus before, recognized immediately who he was and yearned for his mercy!            

Sometimes we get complacent on our journey with Jesus – coming to church regularly, reading our bible, praying in a rote kind of way, and taking for granted the One who is journeying with us. We lose touch with who Jesus really is. We lose the immediacy of his presence among us. We become blind to the miracles God is performing all around us. We get tunnel vision; worrying about money, our health, our families, and the news.            

Today’s reading is a call to wake up. Jesus is here with us; where two or three are gathered, there he is, with us. And what is it we want from him? We need to ask. We need to take the initiative. It’s clear from the gospel that Jesus wasn’t and isn’t in the business of healing willy nilly; en masse. No, God seems to need our request, our invitation to come close, to touch, to heal. That’s our part.                        

All through the gospels we see Jesus healing individuals who approach him; and even when he doesn’t seem to like being approached, it’s his nature to listen and to ask, “What is it you want me to do for you?” He doesn’t presume, he lets the person ask…..              

So, what is it you want God to do for you? I invite you to take a moment and reflect. What question springs from your heart?? ………………………….            

Whatever your question, add the caveat – ask that you would have your eyes open to see the answer when it arrives. Too often we remain blind and don’t see how God responds to us. And then we can feel despairing and alone.            

Imagine Jesus standing very still, head tilted, waiting for you to call out, like Bartimaeus “Son of David, have mercy on me!” and those around you, your brothers and sisters, fellow disciples encouraging you, “Take heart, get up, he is calling you!”            

Do you have the courage to go forward? To approach the one who loves you unconditionally. Is your faith strong enough to allow you to receive the love that God pours out on you? That takes courage – to open your heart like that!            

Another question –            

Where are you blind in your life? A good clue is where you feel constricted – with a person, with a situation, with yourself. When we complain about the same person or situation repeatedly, that’s the clue that we are blind, stuck and not able to see a way forward. “Son of David, have mercy on me.” Can we dare to ask for God’s mercy? “Let me see again.” We need God’s mercy and guidance over and over again. And God will respond.            

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asks us. It can be as simple as that.            

Spend time formulating what you want to ask. Or, let it spring from your heart. Our hearts are already connected and wired to align with the Divine heart. We just need to get out of our heads and listen to the longing of our hearts. So that we can trust that what we ask will serve ourselves, God and neighbour. That faith sets us free to follow Jesus. “Go; your faith has made you well,” Jesus tells Bartimaeus. We too will know we are on the right path when what we ask for serves God’s purpose, and brings us back alongside the One who came to heal each and every one of us.            

Asking questions can be a daily practice. Because asking questions presupposes answers. Questions are directed at another. And we have a relational God. A God who responds. One who invites, never pushes; asks, never imposes, and loves without condition.            

Take heart; God is listening; Get up; he is calling your name.            

Ask and receive, knock and the door will be opened, trust and you will not be disappointed.

Come to the table with your hunger and you will be fed; as all faithful seekers have done for generations.            

Thanks be to God.  

Amen.