About the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
October 24, 2021
The Mass readings (see below) for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B make us think of how we are blind and how Jesus can give us new vision. The first reading speaks of how God gathers his people together and heals them. And in the gospel, Jesus heals Bartimaeus, a blind beggar.
Daily Mass Readings for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
- First Reading – Jeremiah 31:7-9: “Behold, I will bring them back from the land of the north; I will gather them from the ends of the world, with the blind and the lame in their midst, the mothers and those with child; they shall return as an immense throng.”
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 126: “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.”
- Second Reading – Hebrews 5:1-6: “In the same way, it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest, but rather the one who said to him: You are my son: this day I have begotten you; just as he says in another place: You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
- Gospel – Mark 10:46-52: “Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.”
Themes for the Gospel
- Sight: “Master, I want to see.”
- Healing: “Immediately he received his sight”
- Prayer: “What do you want me to do for you?”
- Answering the call of Jesus with courage: “He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.”
- Encouraging others: “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.”
- Faith: “Go your way; your faith has saved you.”
See the bottom of this post for extended ideas related to these themes.
Resources
Prayer When My Dreams Come True
This prayer is based on Psalm 126, which is the responsorial psalm for this Sunday.
A Welcome Sight – A Lesson Plan on Seeing Jesus
This lesson plan focuses on how responding to Jesus allows him to heal the blindness in our lives.
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So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.
Homilies and Reflections
Sacred Space
Some reflection and thoughts on Jesus’ encounter with Bartimaeus from the Irish Jesuits.
A Blind Beggar Sees
Unlike the disciples, who seek honor and glory for themselves, Bartimaeus asks to see.
Coming Home from Exile
The theme comes through over and over in Scripture. We wander away from God and then He brings us back.
Other Themes for These Readings
Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem and is aware of the rejection which is awaiting him there. He has been speaking of this sacrifice and the need to give all of himself for this mission. And he has been calling his disciples to do the same. Bartimaeus has the faith and the courage to leave his cloak and all else behind to follow Jesus.
The people around Bartimaeus tell him to “take courage” when Jesus calls him. This makes us consider how we are encouraging those around us to follow Jesus, even when the path is difficult. And we also think about how the words and actions of others have encouraged our own faith.
Bartimaeus is transformed by the call of Jesus. After healing him, Jesus tells Bartimaeus to “go on his way” but instead he follows Jesus. The same faith which enabled Jesus to heal him also enabled Bartimaeus to start on a new path in life. Where in our own lives are we being told to get up and move?
This is Bartimaeus’ first encounter with Jesus and we can imagine his enthusiasm as he throws aside his cloak to meet our Lord. Do we remember the joy of our first encounter with Jesus? How do we use the gift of that memory when the path of discipleship seems impossible to navigate?