Homily for Thursday
Week 8 of Ordinary Time
May 28, 2026
Mark 10: 46-52
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph Residence, N.R.
Yesterday’s gospel began, “The disciples
were on the way, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went ahead of them” (10:32). The word way is prominent in Mark ch.
10. Jesus is leading the way, and the
disciples—those supposed to be learning from him—are following. The beggar Bartimaeus sits along the way, and
when healed is told, “Go your way” (10:52).
He chooses Jesus’ way and follows among his disciples.
In yesterday’s gospel, James and John lost
their way. When Jesus asked, “What do
you wish me to do for you?” (10:36), they responded with a request for glory
and power (10:37), and the other 10 apostles “became indignant” at them (10:41),
presumably because they all want what the 2 brothers want. Jesus, on the other hand, is walking a
different way, toward his passion, death, and resurrection. The cup of suffering must precede the glory.
Jesus asked Bartimaeus the same question he
asked James and John: “What do you want
me to do for you?” (10:51). He
already sees who Jesus is with at least as much clarity as the 12 have, namely
that Jesus is the Son of David and has the kingly power of mercy: “have pity on me” (10:47). In his blindness, he sees what others
don’t. Yes, he wants something for
himself: “I want to see” (10:51), not
for personal glory but in order to see where Jesus is leading. He who sat by the road now can see the way to
go, for his faith has saved him (10:52).
The way to our salvation isn’t the way of
self-aggrandizement, the way the 12 are pursuing, but the way of suffering,
self-denial, and service. Jesus came not
to be served but to serve and to give his life for others (10:45). We don’t know what eventually happened to
Bartimaeus, but we do know which way will lead us to the salvation that Jesus
offers.
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