Thursday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Calling Out One More Time

Over the last couple of days, we have been reflecting on how God calls us and how that calling begins to take shape through love and service. Today the question becomes: What still needs healing in us?

Because Bartimaeus in today’s Gospel is honest. He knows he cannot fix everything himself. He sits by the roadside blind, and when Jesus passes by, he begins shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” People tell him to be quiet, but he cries out even louder.

I think there is something very human about that Gospel.

Because most people carry something — a worry, a hurt, disappointment, fear about someone they love, or something they wish were different. And sometimes, after praying for a long time, we quietly stop asking. Not because we stop believing, but because we grow tired. We wonder if anything will really change.

But Bartimaeus keeps calling out.

Then Jesus asks him a surprising question: “What do you want me to do for you?” Now, Jesus already knows. But He wants Bartimaeus to say it — to trust Him enough to name it.

And maybe that is the question for us today.

If Jesus asked you right now, “What do you want me to do for you?” what would you say?

Maybe the answer comes quickly. Maybe it takes a moment. But whatever it is, bring it to Him.

Because the same Lord who calls us, the same Lord who teaches us how to love, is also the Lord who still wants to heal us.

And sometimes healing begins simply by calling out to Him one more time.