Sometimes people find it difficult to ask for what they want. They keep silent and put up with things because they are afraid of how others may react.
Bartimaeus in the Gospel story from Mark 10:46-52 refused to allow the people to silence him and Jesus took notice. Jesus asks the people to call him and say 'Courage, get up, he is calling you.' He not only shows compassion for Bartimaeus but changes the hearts of the people around him. Are we influenced by the people that Jesus notices and cares for? Are we influenced by others whose hearts, energy and time go out to people that society would rather ignore?
You may like to listen to 'Find our voice' from 'Like a beautiful day'. The lyrics are below. The song was inspired by our Gospel today and several other Gospel stories where people showed courage in approaching Jesus and asking for what they wanted. They faced their fears and allowed their voice to be heard. Jesus acknowledged their faith in him and they received what they wanted.
We need to find our voice and approach Jesus and ask for what we want. Bartimaeus inspires us to do so. We need to listen to the voices that others would prefer to silence. Jesus inspires us to do so.
Bartimaeus was a beggar
A man who couldn’t see
He heard Jesus was coming
He cried out ‘Pity me’
When the crowd told him
‘Be silent’
He shouted all the more
Jesus heard his pleading.
His sight he did restore
And a woman was a stranger
Her daughter was possessed
She begged Jesus to heal her
The Saviour was impressed
Despite her cultural difference
He listened to her need
He told her go home happy.
Your daughter has been freed.
They found their voice
And we can too
They made the choice
As we can do
And then another was a leper
Who pleaded on his knees
If you want to you can cure me
Get rid of this disease
Jesus touched the outcast and said
Be cured my friend
He couldn’t keep it secret
How could he in the end?
We make the choice
To speak our truth
We make the choice
To find our voice
There are voices that are silent
Ones we need to hear
And there are voices that are silent made to disappear
Help us Jesus with our choices to face the fears that keep us bound
We can jump up, run towards you
Find our voice and stand our ground
Blessings on your week.
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