THE BLIND BEGGARS
The
Gospels narrate the miraculous curing of a blind beggar by Jesus at Jericho
{Mark 10: 46-52; Luke 18: 35-43}. St. Mark identifies him as
Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus. He was sitting by the side of the road when he
heard that Jesus was passing by the road. He cried out in excitement,
"Jesus! Son of David, take pity on me!"
The
people scolded him and asked him to be quiet. But he shouted more loudly. Jesus
stopped and called him. Bartimaeus threw off his cloak, jumped up and came to
Jesus. Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He
replied, "Teacher, I want to see again." Jesus consoled him,
"Then see! Your faith has made you
well." He was cured of his blindness instantly. Then he followed Jesus,
giving thanks to God .
There is an interesting legend about
Bartimaeus, which has been depicted in plays and a film. When Jesus summoned
him, in the excitement, he had left his cloak, walking stick and the beggar's
bowl full of coins, by the road side. Jumping with joy after the miraculous
recovery, he distributed the coins in the bowl among the beggars and went to
meet his nearest friend, another blind beggar who was still begging by the side
of the busy road. Bartimaeus was eager to have his friend restore his sight
like him. He narrated how Jesus cured him mercifully and asked his friend to
approach Jesus who was still at Jericho and receive the gift of sight from Him.
Quite unexpectedly,
his friend refused the proposal. He thought about his early years and replied
firmly, "I do not wish to see this thankless world again!" Then he
narrated his bitter experiences following the loss of his vision. He loved his
family dearly and had made great sacrifices for his wife and children. But they
rejected him as a useless burden when he became blind. They sent him away from
his home and he had to become a beggar to earn his livelihood. He was in agony
when he remembered those painful moments in his life. Finding that his mission
had failed, Bartimaeus sadly bid farewell to his blind friend and returned to Jesus
to be His faithful follower forever.
A meaningful
presentation in the 'Shalom Television' depicted a principled priest who
accepted the invitation of a wealthy man to bless his home. Reaching the house,
the priest put on his holy vestment and started the formal prayer. Suddenly he
noted that the old father of the person was not to be seen anywhere. The priest
enquired. The person replied reluctantly that he had shifted his ailing father to
an asylum for the aged, as the old man was a burden to his busy life. The
priest stopped the ceremony, closed the prayer book and removed the vestment.
He declared firmly that he would continue the blessing only after the head of
the family was brought back to the house. He counselled the members of the
family. His wise words convinced them that their action was cruel and wrong.
They hurried to the old age home, met the old father, begged his pardon and respectfully
escorted him back to their home. They
informed the priest who readily returned to complete the blessing. He reminded
them that God has designed the family in the likeness of
Heaven. He quoted the words of Jesus delivered after the transformation
of Zacchaeus, "Salvation has come to this house today" {Luke 19: 9}.
The Bible teaches, …“Respect your father
and mother, so that you may live a long time in the land that I am giving you”
{Exodus 20: 12}.“God’s curse on anyone who dishonours his father or
mother” {Deuteronomy 27:16}. “If you
curse your parents, your life will end like a lamp that goes out in the dark”
{Proverbs 20: 20}.“Honour your father with all your heart, and never
forget how your mother suffered when you were born. Remember that you owe your
life to them. How can you ever repay them for all they have done for you?”
{Sirach 7: 27, 28}.
...........................................................................................................
© By: Prof.
Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science &
Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's
College, Kanjirappally, Leo. S. John, St. Antony's Public
School, Anakkal, Kanjirappally and Neil
John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally,
Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.
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