Embedded Files
. . . As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord . . . Joshua 25:15b
Proper 25 Yr B
Lord, that I might see!, (1970, freestanding metal sculpture, Matyas church, Budapest, Hungary) from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54181 [retrieved September 1, 2021]. Original source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephenr/2296612588/.
Published date 10/24/2024
Introduction
Introduction
"Teacher, let me see again." In about half of the translations of this portion of Mark's gospel, the word "again" is omitted. I'm not a scholar so I don't know how to interpret that piece of information. And I really don't know how big a difference it makes. Consider: "Let me see" (without "again") is a petition for the world around me to be such that I can see it. "Let me see again" suggests that I once had the ability to see. The point of the gospel reading is made in either (both) case: Bartimaeus had faith that Jesus would take away his current condition: blindness. And Jesus did. Are you "blind" in some or many ways? Do you think that you used to see more clearly than you do now? [Head nod to the lyric line: I can see clearly now, the rain is gone.] More importantly, do you believe that God can take the veil from your eyes? Here's an exercise (suggested to the youth below): This week, look around you with intention—what do you "see" that is renewed, that is fresh? Does anything give you an "Aha!" moment? Feel free to comment.
Mark 10:46-52
Mark 10:46-52
Jesus and his disciples came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. . . . throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
From sermon4kids.com: “Some, like Bartimaeus, receive the gift of sight. Some, like Fanny Crosby, are blind their entire life. One thing is certain, when we get to heaven, we will all see Jesus.”
Scripture: October 27, 2024—Job 42:1-6, 10-17 (image); Psalm 34:1-8, 19-22 (image); Jeremiah 31:7-9 (image); Psalm 126 (image); Hebrews 7:23-28 (image); and Mark 10:46-52 (image). A video/audio journey through the scripture.
Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reflection: What particular vision do you seek? What do you want to understand? And when you do see and understand, how will that knowledge, that insight, pull you closer to following Jesus on the way of faith and of peace?
(excerpted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year B, Volume 2 © 2014 Westminster John Knox Press)
A video/audio journey through the scripture.
Symbols of the Church
Symbols of the Church
The all-seeing Eye of Providence (an eye within a triangle with rays of light emanating from it) is a Christian symbol that dates back to the eighth century. The first known use of the symbol is in the Palatine Chapel, Aachen Cathedral, which was built by Charlemagne in 786. It was a fairly common symbol throughout the middle ages and well into the Enlightenment period.
The symbol is found on the Past Master’s apron in Freemasonry as early as the eighteenth century. The Freemasons adopted the symbol because it was common in eighteenth century culture, and not because it is a uniquely Masonic symbol. The Eye was added to the reverse of the Great Seal of the United States for the same reason; it’s designer (Charles Thompson) had no Masonic connections.
The truth . . . is that the Eye of Providence is a uniquely Christian symbol, invented in the eighth century and used to represent the Providence of God, i.e. the principle through which all historical events ultimately converge to complete some cosmic Master Plan.
Excerpted from the Quora website
Click here for a page of symbols described in this publication.
Images enhancing
the scripture
“Lord, that I might see“, sculpture in the Matyas church in Budapest
“Jesus restores a blind man’s sight” by Matthaeus (the elder) Merian
“Jesus Heals a Blind Man” by LUMO Project
“The man born blind” by Laura James (scroll down the page)
“Bartimeo“, contemporary Mexican icon (scroll down)
Music founded
in the scripture
“O Christ, the healer, we have come“, congregational hymn
“He touched me“, sung by Gaither Brothers
“Amazing Grace—My chains are gone“, arranged/sung by Chris Tomlin [a favorite of the editor; this one’s for you, Richard]
Other voices
about the scripture
“Open my eyes and write on my heart” by Sharon Blezard
Where have you been today, Bartimaeus?
“I’ve been in a world of hunger and fear and darkness.
I’ve been by the side of the road I name despair.
I’ve been cast off, like something beyond repair.”
What have you heard today, Bartimaeus?
“I’ve heard the pain of those who cry for justice.
I’ve heard the pain of those who cry for peace.
I’ve heard someone is near who brings release.”
What do you need today, Bartimaeus?
“I need to know that joy can rise from ashes.
I need to know that hope can rise from grief.
I need to see the sun touch the lifted leaf.”
What did you do today, Bartimaeus?
“I called to the Son of David who comes to save us.
I called to the One who mercy freely gives.
I called to the One whose power opened my grave.”
Where are you going today, Bartimaeus?
“To be with Christ as he brings new days to others.
To follow the One who’s brought me this new sight.
To share with all God’s people this new life.”
© Andrew King
“Could we also regain our vision?” by Peter Woods
Movies representing some part of the scripture
“At first sight” (1999, PG-13), first seeing after sight restored to blind man, a man gains his sight as an adult, “. . . seeing with the heart . . .”, Review
“The cruise” (1998, PG-13), seeing New York, Review
“The Sixth Sense” (1999, PG-13), psychological thriller, “. . . the interrogators have made up their minds . . .”, Review 1, Review 2
For families: Study guide and activities (another guide), group activity; snack, kid video.
For children: activity; bulletin games; craft;
For middlers: activity; bulletin games; craft.
For youth: In this week's lesson, Bartimaeus asks Jesus to "Let me see again". Think about your daily life and how many of the things there that you do not really see—either because they are "ordinary" or because they are always there. This week, take time to examine everything in your environment with new eyes, eyes that have been opened. Given this assignment, what do you see anew? Feel free to comment.
Coloring page (all ages): This week the focus is on Psalm 34.
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus heals a blind man. It is the man’s faith which gives him his sight. The rules of religion understood blindness to be caused by sin, so this man was excluded from the life of the people. Jesus, however, welcomes him, heals him, and includes him among his followers.
Using Job: Job hears God’s reply that God is unknowable. Realizing how small and weak he is and how presumptuous he was to question God, Job now repents. God’s response is to undo all the trouble Job had and to restore him and his family to their former good fortune. This little fictional story represents a deepening of the Jewish conception of God during the last few centuries before the time of Jesus.
Using Jeremiah: In the first reading Jeremiah tells that one day God will reach out to his people and call all of them back. No one will be left out, but all will come rejoicing into God’s family. The story of the blind man in today’s Gospel reading is a sign that what Jeremiah foretold is coming true in the ministry of Jesus.
Our second reading continues the letter to Jewish Christians. This was probably written after Jerusalem and its Temple were destroyed, thus there were no more sacrifices offered. The writer is remind his readers that Jesus’ own self-offering makes continued sacrifices of animals by fallible human priest no longer necessary. Jesus’ one sacrifice of himself is eternally effective for all humanity.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.
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