What can I do for you, man?

"Jesus asked him [Blind man] “What do you want me to do for you?” (Luke 18: 41).

Monday 16th November 2020, 33rd Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Margaret of Scotland (1046 - 1093). Born Hungarian and married to King Malcolm of Scotland. Mother of 8 children who raised her children in the fear of the Lord. She is noted especially for her love for the poor. Margaret is the Patroness of Scotland.

Today is also the feast of St Gertrude. (1256 - 1301). Virgin. German. Known as Gertrude the Great, she was a respected scholar and mystic. Over 300 years before St Margaret Mary Alacoque, Gertrude, a mystic like Margaret Mary introduced the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Pope Benedict XVI, says that St Gertrude “shows us that the heart of a happy life, of a true life, is friendship with the Lord Jesus.”

In the Gospel Reading of today, we read of the interesting encounter of Jesus with the Blind man [named Bartimaeus by the Gospel of Mark). We see here the power of persistent prayer in action. Bartimaeus had prayed and waited for the opportunity to meet Jesus. When it happened suddenly, he was prepared. Lesson: Fortune favors the prepared.

Bartimaeus was shouting on top of his voice: "Son of David, have pity on me." He could not be stopped by the disciples of Jesus. Jesus asked him to come to Him. Lesson: Persistent prayer gets the attention of God. How can I help you, Jesus asked the Blind man.
"He replied, “Lord, please let me see.”  Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.”  He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God." (Luke 18: 41 - 43). Bartimaeus became a friend and companion of Jesus.

This is not a parable but a life event in the ministry of Jesus. Jesus teaches through words (narrative/discourse) and action.
"Man does not live on bread alone. There is life for him in every word that comes from the mouth of God." The word of God nourishes the hunger in our hearts for new life.

What do you desire most in your heart? Desire makes a man, teaches St Ignatius Loyola.
Guard as treasure the utmost/greatest desire of your life. Nourish it with prayer and the word of God. Be always prepared to jump up as Bartimaeus for you do not know when Jesus will be passing by.

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com