Cathedral Homilies - October 27 (Msgr. Rolly)

Summary

In this reflection on the healing of Bartimaeus, the blind man, the speaker highlights key lessons from the story. Bartimaeus teaches us to seize opportunities, as he did when he called out to Jesus. He also demonstrates the power of persistence, ignoring the crowd’s attempts to silence him. Additionally, Bartimaeus shows the importance of being specific in our prayers, asking directly for what we want. Lastly, his gratitude is evident as he follows Jesus after receiving his sight. The speaker urges us to emulate Bartimaeus' faith, persistence, and gratitude in our own lives.

Takeaways

• 😀 The blind man in the story is named Bartimaeus, which is unusual in the Gospel narratives, highlighting his significance.
• 😀 Bartimaeus teaches us the importance of seizing opportunities when they arise, as he did when he heard Jesus was near.
• 😀 We should not let opportunities pass by, as they may be God's answer to our prayers.
• 😀 The Latin phrase 'Carpe Diem' (Seize the Day) and the saying 'Opportunity knocks but once' encourage us to act when chances arise.
• 😀 Persistence is key: Bartimaeus did not stop calling out for Jesus despite the crowd telling him to be quiet.
• 😀 In life, there will always be naysayers who tell us we can't achieve something, but we should remain persistent and keep believing in ourselves.
• 😀 Bartimaeus had clarity in his request to Jesus, asking for sight—this teaches us the importance of being specific in our prayers and desires.
• 😀 Often, we are unclear in our requests, like when we say 'anything' or 'anywhere,' which leads to confusion and dissatisfaction.
• 😀 When God grants our desires, we should express our gratitude by using those blessings to serve others, just as Bartimaeus followed Jesus after receiving his sight.
• 😀 Gratitude should not be forgotten after receiving blessings—one of the best ways to show gratitude is by using what we’ve been given to serve others.

Q & A

Why is Bartimaeus' name mentioned in the Gospel, unlike most other individuals receiving healing?

Bartimaeus' name is specifically mentioned in the Gospel, possibly to highlight the significance of his healing and the lessons his story conveys. His personal identity adds a deeper dimension to his faith and persistence.

What is the first key lesson Bartimaeus teaches us in the Gospel?

The first key lesson is to grab opportunities when they arise. Bartimaeus did not let the chance to call out to Jesus pass him by, recognizing it as a moment that could change his life.

How does Bartimaeus demonstrate persistence in the face of opposition?

Despite the crowd telling him to be quiet, Bartimaeus continued to cry out to Jesus even louder. His persistence in calling out, undeterred by others, teaches us the value of perseverance.

What does Bartimaeus' persistence tell us about handling criticism or doubt from others?

Bartimaeus' persistence shows us that we should not listen to those who doubt or discourage us. Instead, we should stay focused on our goals and continue to believe in ourselves, even when others may not support us.

What does it mean to be specific in our prayers, as Bartimaeus was?

Being specific in our prayers means clearly expressing our desires and needs to God. Bartimaeus directly asked Jesus for sight, which illustrates the importance of articulating our prayers with clarity.

What lesson can we learn from Bartimaeus about our desires and prayers?

The lesson is to be specific and intentional when making requests in our prayers. Just like Bartimaeus asked for what he truly wanted, we should be clear about our desires when praying to God.

Why is it important to express gratitude when our prayers are answered?

Expressing gratitude is important because it acknowledges the blessings we receive and reinforces our relationship with God. Bartimaeus showed his gratitude by following Jesus after receiving his sight.

What does Bartimaeus' action of following Jesus teach us about gratitude?

Bartimaeus' action teaches us that true gratitude is expressed through action. After receiving his sight, he followed Jesus, demonstrating that we should use our blessings in service to God and others.

How can we apply the lessons from Bartimaeus to our daily lives?

We can apply these lessons by seizing opportunities, remaining persistent in our goals, being specific in our prayers, and expressing gratitude through meaningful actions, much like Bartimaeus did.

What is the underlying message of Bartimaeus' healing story for Christians?

The underlying message is that faith, persistence, and gratitude are key components of spiritual growth. Bartimaeus' story encourages us to trust in God's plan, remain steadfast in our faith, and show appreciation for the blessings we receive.