Let the heart that seeks God rejoice! Seek the Lord God and his strength; seek his face continually

 Let the heart that seeks God rejoice! Seek the Lord God and his strength; seek his face continually (Ps 104:3ff).

We are called to rejoice in God, giving him thanks for the wonders he has accomplished in the person of Jesus, who frees us from ignorance and error and heals our blindness. Let us allow ourselves to be enlightened by the everlasting light of the Word and the Eucharist, so that we may follow the Lord on straight paths that provide acceptance, hope and renewal of life for all. First Reading: Jeremiah 31:7-9 The Word of God invites all who, through faith, experience the compassionate and liberating action of the Lord to rejoice. Let us listen carefully. A reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah – 7Thus says the Lord: “Sing for joy for Jacob, shout for joy for the first of the nations; play a song and say: ‘Save your people, O Lord, the remnant of Israel.’ 8I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them are the blind and the lame, pregnant women and those in labor; a great throng are those who return. 9They will come with tears, but I will welcome them with prayers. I will lead them through streams of water, on a level path where they will not stumble. For I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.” – The Word of the Lord. Responsorial Psalm: 125(126) The Lord has done great things for us; / let us rejoice with joy! 1. When the Lord brought back our captives, / we were like those who dreamed; / our mouths were filled with laughter, / our lips with songs. – R. 2. Among the Gentiles it was said, “The Lord has done great things for them!” / Yes, the Lord has done great things for us; / let us rejoice with joy! – R. 3. Turn our fortunes, O Lord, / like torrents in the desert. / Those who sow their seed in tears / will reap with joy. – R. 4. They will go out weeping, / scattering their seed. / They will return with joy, / carrying their sheaves! – R. Second Reading: Hebrews 5:1-6 A reading from the letter to the Hebrews – 1Every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2He has compassion on those who are ignorant and in error, because he himself is beset by weakness. 3That is why he must offer sacrifices for the sins of the people as well as for his own. 4No one takes this honor upon himself except the one called by God, as was Aaron. 5So Christ did not take upon himself the honor of being made high priest, but was made high priest by the one who said to him, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.” 6As he says again, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” – The word of the Lord. Gospel: Mark 10:46-52 Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Jesus Christ, our Savior, has destroyed evil and death; / he has brought forth, through the gospel, the light and the life that will never fade away (2 Tim 1:10). – R. A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark – At that time, 46Jesus left Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd. Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. 47When he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, he began to cry out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet. But he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49Then Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” They called to him and said, “Take courage! Get up! Jesus is calling you!” 50The blind man threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus. 51Then Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man answered, “Rabbi, that I may see.” 52Jesus said, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. – Word of salvation. Reflection: The blind man represents the disciples, who do not know who Jesus is and do not understand his plan. In fact, they want to maintain a society in which inequality and oppression reign. Jesus spoke to them about giving their lives; however, they were arguing about who among them would be the greatest in the Kingdom. The beggar wants to escape his marginalization. If it had depended on the help of those around Jesus, the man would have remained in his deplorable state. Insensitivity; lack of solidarity! But Jesus himself calls him and gives him back his sight. The gesture of throwing away his cloak means that he is abandoning his past; he wants a new life. Once free from the bonds that paralyzed him (begging and blindness), he decides to follow Jesus on the road to Jerusalem. What kind of “blindness” hinders our Christian journey?