GOSPEL READING
THE GOSPEL OF MARK
Bartimaeus: Mk 10,46-52
The healing of the blind beggar Bartimaeus is one of the great stories of this Gospel. We can see its importance by its situation in the Gospel (ss 11,1). We need to consider how it brings to a conclusion all that Jesus has said about being a disciple.
There was an earlier healing of a blind man in 8,22-26. How do these two healings compare? What have we read in the Gospel between the two healings?
Where are Jesus and his disciples and who are with them? Compare translations for the position of Bartimaeus in verses 46 and 52. See 10,32 for a clue.
Read the story as if you were Bartimaeus. For verse 50, see Exodus 22,26.
For verses 49 and 50, compare Mt 20,32.
Then read the story as if you were one of the crowd. How do you read the story following the two points of views?
What are your conclusions about Bartimaeus? Where will his journey in verse 52 take him?
Then have a look at my response.
The Sunday Reading: 30th Sunday OT
Following our reading of the healing of Bartimaeus, look at the Jerusalem translation we hear at Mass.
The Old Testament Reading chosen to accompany the story of Bartimaeus comes from the prophet Jeremiah, Jer 31,7-9. This part of Jeremiah is known as the book of consolation.
Why might have this passage been chosen to accompany the healing in the Gospel?
Then have a look at my response.