Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
May 27, 2021
Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 350
Reading I
Now will I recall God’s works;
what I have seen, I will describe.
At God’s word were his works brought into being;
they do his will as he has ordained for them.
As the rising sun is clear to all,
so the glory of the LORD fills all his works;
Yet even God’s holy ones must fail
in recounting the wonders of the LORD,
Though God has given these, his hosts, the strength
to stand firm before his glory.
He plumbs the depths and penetrates the heart;
their innermost being he understands.
The Most High possesses all knowledge,
and sees from of old the things that are to come:
He makes known the past and the future,
and reveals the deepest secrets.
No understanding does he lack;
no single thing escapes him.
Perennial is his almighty wisdom;
he is from all eternity one and the same,
With nothing added, nothing taken away;
no need of a counselor for him!
How beautiful are all his works!
even to the spark and fleeting vision!
The universe lives and abides forever;
to meet each need, each creature is preserved.
All of them differ, one from another,
yet none of them has he made in vain,
For each in turn, as it comes, is good;
can one ever see enough of their splendor?
Responsorial Psalm
R. (6a) By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
Sing to him a new song;
pluck the strings skillfully, with shouts of gladness.
R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
For upright is the word of the LORD
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made;
by the breath of his mouth all their host.
He gathers the waters of the sea as in a flask;
in cellars he confines the deep.
R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all who dwell in the world revere him.
For he spoke, and it was made;
he commanded, and it stood forth.
R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd,
Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus,
sat by the roadside begging.
On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth,
he began to cry out and say,
“Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.”
And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent.
But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.”
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
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.
Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?”
The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.”
Jesus told him, ‘Go your way; your faith has saved you.”
Immediately he received his sight
and followed him on the way.
Reflection: EAGERNESS TO BE NOTICED BY THE LORD
The words 'sight' and 'vision' are synonymously used in communication both verbal and in written form. However, a further exploration into the etymology of the words would reveal that they are not same in their meaning and purposes. The words 'sight' refers to the capacity of an eye to see in as much as it is linked to the physical sense of an eye. The word, 'vision' on the other hand is deeper, connotes more than the cerebral sense, and points to a higher realm of purpose and mission. Today's gospel reading presents us with a stunning encounter between Jesus and Bartimaeus. It begins with his hearing that it was Jesus who was passing by, which makes him to shout out loud regardless of what others might think. In other words, if you really need something, go for it, do not budge until you get it. Notice the increase in the volume of his outcry! Not a simple shout, but floods Jesus with the title, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.' This guy knew some background story of Jesus coming from the root of Jesus of the tribe of David. There are so many things worked in favour of Bartimaeus, and Jesus was impressed with his persistence of prayer clubbed with faith. He did not ask Jesus for extraordinary favours, but said, 'my teacher, let me see gain.' Jesus was impressed with his expression of faith, and said, 'go, your faith has made you well. Bartimaeus not only gained sight but received the vision of heaven and became a follower of Jesus.