Lesson from Blind Bartimaeus
I am writing this note from my room as I am convalescing from a viral infection with covid like symptoms. So, I followed the last Sunday’s events from the sidelines, away from the crowds as I did not want to be a ‘herald of virus’ but would like to remain the ‘bringer of God’s Good News’!
I thank the Catholic Daughters of America for their continued dedication to their ministry of being a ‘leaven of change’ in our society. Their many charitable outreach ventures and sponsoring of our deserving youth to college education are very commendable. As they renewed their commitment to action on the past Sunday, we accompany them with our prayers. They have also started a social lunch out and invite you to join them. Please contact Christine Mooney
CYO Day which began with the Holy Mass was a tremendous success. The weather was perfect for outdoor fun. I watched from my room the preparations and the volunteering spirit of our children to get the ground organized and the parents who helped with the barbecue and pop corn, cotton candy preparations. Thank you, Mara Hauser and all coaches, and the CYO Board. Special thanks to Clarkstown Party Rentals (845 356-3909) for giving us the use of Bouncy Castle. I hope someday we can create a wholesome fun place on our Church property, a mini park. If you have ideas and means, please bring them to our Parish Council. I am sure you will know one or the other of the Parish Council members whose names are listed in our weekly Bulletin.
Over these past years our gym, or Msgr. Thomas Murphy Memorial Hall, has undergone many noteworthy changes, repaired the floor with CYO logo, new kitchen floor and commercial oven with hood, stage lighting with effects control and a new powerful sound system. It is an ideal place for movies and shows. The Rosary Altar Society realized one of the purposes of the upgrade with the screening of the movie Mother Cabrini. We appreciate the great turn out and hope we can have many more such gatherings, encouraged also by the ‘big spread’ that RAS always surprises us with. Thank you, RAS. Special thanks to Frank Keffas, our audio visual tech-engineer. The only wish and prayer I have is that someone will be moved with generosity to purchase more comfortable chairs.
In the Gospel today, we hear about Jesus healing this blind man named Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus is an interesting and powerful character in the Gospel, he is struggling with blindness, and he is a beggar. In most of the healing stories of the Gospels, the name of the person is not revealed, it is daughter of Jarius, son of a widow, mother-in-law of Peter etc. Bartimaeus is mentioned by name, according to some scholars, because of the fact he was a known member of the early church. Imagine this Gospel is read on a Sunday in a church in Jericho in the first century and a voice is heard, “That was me … I am Bartimaeus.” Putting on my journalistic hat, I would ask a myriad of questions.
Why did you shout, “Son of David, have pity on me!” In Greek, that’s “eleison me, eleison me!” That is a messianic title! Did you believe that Jesus whom you have not seen, is the Messiah? You threw away your cloak and ran in the direction of Jesus. Did you think you would get back your cloak if there was no cure, if you were still blind? Mark the writer mentions you followed Jesus to Jerusalem after you got your sight. Why did not go home and see your wife and children first?
When faith becomes the center pinning in our life, most reason would take a side role. But probably a lot of us find ourselves in a situation where we need faith. And even though people discourage you, or the culture or people laugh at you when you say, ‘Jesus is Lord’ in a crowd or the current painful situation of your life discourages you, don’t give up. Keep calling. Keep persisting. Keep enduring. Keep going to Church. That’s ultimately what brought Christ to Bartimaeus’ side, and that is what will bring Christ to ours as well. Fr Tom Kunnel, C.O