Reflection for 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time: October 24, 2021

Reflection for 30^th Sunday in Ordinary Time: October 24, 2021
 
Jeremiah: 31:7-9:  Jeremiah’s call to have hopefulness, a thankful heart and joy transcend time and are so relevant to us, today. We are to give glory and praise and thanks to God for delivering us from our present crises, as God’s people did when God returned them to their homeland. Images of God’s mercy to those most vulnerable; the blind and the lame, mothers and unborn children are given to us to reassure us of God’s merciful and loving attentiveness and God’s ever-present love, protection and help. As more and more human rights issues emerge due to our nation’s moral decline, let’s pray to our all-powerful God for wisdom, courage, grace and diplomacy to deal with all of these crisis situations. We’re told today that God has a plan for all of this. Do not fear. Have hope and rejoice!
 
Psalm 126: “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.” This week, we have for our enjoyment, a psalm of rejoicing. In the first quatrain, the Jewish people wonder if they’re dreaming when God returns them to their home-land, but they succumb to voicing praise and exultation. The next quatrain notes how other nations saw and appreciated God’s provision for the Israelites and that finally, they, also saw and appreciated and rejoiced. The third section recalls past suffering and grief and discouragement, but adds a faith statement that those grieving (carrying seeds of hope and faith), will come back rejoicing carrying their sheaves, which in this case can be considered a harvest of answered prayers. This week, give   extra thanks to God for all the blessings we enjoy: loved ones, food, shelter, nature’s beauty… so many things!
 
Hebrews 5:1-6: In this reverent passage, Paul demonstrates great respect for the high priest; culminating in Jesus’ own role as high priest. Reflecting on this passage, we can ponder and easily accept Paul’s conclusion that priests needn’t be prideful over their calling, but consider it a magnanimous gift from God and a privilege. Except Jesus, Paul reminds priests that they are all called from “among men,” alluding to the fact that all men are imperfect and are sinners; (such that no one deserves the role or vocation), but may instead consider it a gift and grace from God. Paul reminds priests to be patient with other sinners, as God has been patient with them. This is a call to all of us to recognize ourselves as humble sinners, in need of God’s mercy and grace.
 
Mark 10:46-52: “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you!” That’s what the crowd said to Bartimaeus, the blind man, who was cured in today’s Gospel. At first, the crowd had rebuked and scolded Bartimaeus, for calling out to Jesus. The crowd was, at first, an obstacle to this poor man’s attempts to approach Jesus with pleas for mercy and for obtaining his cure. Then, at Jesus’ insistence, they encouraged Bartimaeus to avail himself of Jesus’ help and healing.

Today, those words of the crowd are being extended toward you and me. “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you!” Jesus wants to give you and me His mercy, love and healing as He did to Bartimaeus and to countless others. Jesus also wants us to encourage others to “come to Jesus.” That is our vocation in this life. Pondering this reading really affected me. I haven’t been very hopeful or encouraging, lately; but I’ve made a decision to carry hope and confidence in God as a shield.

Trust in Jesus!
 
Deacon Matt