JUSTIN, Martyr
St. Justin, a philosopher living in the second century, was an honest seeker of the truth. Disappointed at pagan philosophies, he came to recognize the way of Christ as the true philosophy and the full truth. After his conversion he served the Church as an apologist (defender of the faith) and founded in Rome the first school of Christian philosophy, a sort of catechumenate for those interested in Christianity. In this school and in his writings he presents Christianity as the complete and surpassing fulfillment of pagan thought and culture. Stating that no one gives up the truth for error when the judge condemned him, he was beheaded for his faith.
Reading 1: Sir 42:15-25
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?
Gospel: Mk 10:46-52
They spent some time in Jericho. As Jesus was leaving town, trailed by his disciples and a parade of people, a blind beggar by the name of Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, was sitting alongside the road. When he heard that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by, he began to cry out, “Son of David, Jesus! Mercy, have mercy on me!” Many tried to hush him up, but he yelled all the louder, “Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!”
49-50 Jesus stopped in his tracks. “Call him over.”
They called him. “It’s your lucky day! Get up! He’s calling you to come!” Throwing off his coat, he was on his feet at once and came to Jesus.
51 Jesus said, “What can I do for you?”
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
52 “On your way,” said Jesus. “Your faith has saved and healed you.”
In that very instant he recovered his sight and followed Jesus down the road.
Prayer
Lord our God,
we celebrate today the remembrance
of the philosopher and martyr St. Justin.
He did not cease to search for the truth
until he had found your Son Jesus Christ.
Like him, may we become restless
until we have discovered all the depth
of the love of your Son,
who is our way, our truth, our life.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Reflection:
1 June 2023
Mark 10:46-52
Do not be resigned to darkness
Today’s Gospel text tells us about the healing of the blind Bartimaeus. From the side of the road, he cries out to Jesus, who passes by: “Son of David, have mercy on me.”
The name Timaeus in Greek meant respect or fear. The blind man was named the son of the fearful one. But he displayed remarkable courage in shouting for mercy even as the crowd tried to silence him.
Deep down, we are all blind. Bartimaeus’ advantage over us is that he was aware of his blindness and, therefore, capable of crying out to the Lord who was passing by. We, on the contrary, are unaware of our blindness; we have a false confidence that we can see clearly. That is why we judge, denounce and condemn … God alone knows the human heart and the why of things.
Bartimaeus is the image of the disciple who finally opens his eyes to the Master’s light and decides to follow him along the way. Only those who realise they are leading a meaningless, unacceptable life look for a way out. Bartimaeus is not resigned to the darkness in which he is immersed. After hearing about Jesus one day, he realises he has the chance of a lifetime: He screams, asking for help; he will no longer live in this state. But there are difficulties to overcome. He immediately feels thwarted in his effort to encounter the light of heaven. Yet he is not discouraged nor ashamed of his condition and does not hide his anguish; he cries and asks for help from the one who can open his eyes.
Jesus stops! It is an invitation to joy and hope: “Take heart! Get up, he is calling you” (v. 49). Bartimaeus “jumps up, throws off his cloak and runs” toward Jesus. These gestures are symbolic. The mantle was considered the only asset owned by the poor. The act of abandoning it, along with a few coins passers-by placed there, indicates complete detachment from his previous life. His previous life is no longer relevant to him.
Anyone who comes to Christ must not dream of a comfortable and trouble-free life. The experience of Bartimaeus teaches that the journey that awaits those who have received the light is very difficult; it forces one to rethink habits, behaviour and friendships. It demands that life, time, and goods are managed in a radically new way. Those who want to be enlightened by Christ must choose between the old mantle and the new light.
Jesus is the light that illuminates everything, fills everything with life and meaning. That is why when Jesus opens our eyes we cannot but follow him along the way, because we have discovered the light.