Today is Reformation Sunday, the Sunday before Reformation Day, Oct 31. Catholic representatives of the Pope will be attending various Protestant Reformation Sunday services, especially in Europe. Reformation Sunday remembers Oct 31, 1517, when Martin Luther posted a list of statements (The 95 “Theses” or grievances) against Catholic beliefs on the church door in Wittenberg, Germany. Thus began Protestant Christianity. Martin Luther is famous for teaching that we are saved by “faith alone,” rather than through the mediation of a Church with its practices.
So it is fitting that our Gospel reading today is about the blind beggar Bartimaeus, whom Jesus cures while saying to him: “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Bartimaeus seems to have been steeped in Jewish theology. His faith was that the Lord God would save him in accordance with the promises made by prophets like Jeremiah (today’s first reading): “Behold, I will bring them back … with the blind and the lame in their midst … for I am a Father to Israel.” Bartimaeus gets Jesus’ attention by calling to him using a Jewish messianic title, “Son of David.” His faith is so strong that he does not just go to Jesus, when invited to do so. He “threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.” Throwing aside the cloak is important. This was the thing that kept him warm while sleeping rough at night and protected him from the elements as he begged by the road. But he knew he wouldn’t need it again, so sure he was of his cure as he ran to Jesus. Then even more remarkable was that this man, who during years of blindness would have fanaticized about what he would do if he were not blind, does not do any of them! Instead he “followed Him on the way.” It would be great to have a sequel to his story!
In Bartimaeus the evangelist Mark has given us a little homily about faith. Faith hopes in God even if hoped-for expectations do not happen quickly. Faith pays attention, stays alert for God’s invitation. Faith responds enthusiastically, and faith grasps the gift of faith as the pearl of great price. Let us pray this week for all our Protestant brethren, who with Martin Luther and Bartimaeus remind us of this pearl, faith.
— Blog entry by Sister Mary Garascia; painting by Lucas Cranach
