Bartimaeus

Bartimaeus gives us a great focus on the traditions in the accounts in the Gospels.
There is a rewarding study of Jesus' healings to see.
Our Vigils Reading gives a deepening into the "enlightening of eyes" by Clement of Alexandria.
Given the Gospel narrative, the contemplation by Clement creates the presence of prayer, "Receive Christ, receive power to see, receive your light".

Master, I want to see.

Bartimaeus: A blind beggar healed by Jesus outside Jericho, according to Mark (Mark 10: 46-52), though in Matt. 20: 29-34 the narrative is of two blind men healed. That the beggar followed Jesus 'on the way' (Mark 10: 52) indicates that he became a disciple when his eyes were opened. Discipleship is one of Mark's themes and according to Acts 9: 2 the early Christian community knew itself as 'the Way'. (Oxford Dict. of Bible).

THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Christ Our Light II Gospel Themes Gospel: Mark 10:46-52 As Jesus left Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus (that is, the son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting at the side of the road. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout and to say, "Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me." And man y of them scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he only shouted all the louder, "Son of David, have pity on me." Jesus stopped and said, "Call him here." So they called the blind man. "Courage," they said "get up; he is calling you." So throwing off his cloak, he jumped up and went to Jesus. Then Jesus spoke. "What do you want me to do for you?" "Rabbuni," the blind man said to him "Master, let me see again." Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has saved you." And immediately his sight returned and he followed him along the road. From the Exhortation to the Greeks by Clement of Alexandria (Cap. 11: SC 2, 181-183) Though related to the earlier Christian apologies, this work is concerned not with defending Christianity against calumnies, but with moral formation. We have been enlightened by Christ, the Word. If we obey his teaching he will give us a share in the divine nature. Quotations from classical authors are indicated, though no references are given. [CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA (c.150-215) was born at Athens of pagan parents. Nothing is known of his early life nor of the reasons for his conversion. He was the pupil and the assistant of Pantaenus, the director of the catechetical school of Alexandria, whom he succeeded about the year 200. In 202 Clement left Alexandria because of the persecution of Septimus Severus, and resided in Cappadocia with his pupil, Alexander, later bishop of Jerusalem. Clement may be considered the founder of speculative theology. He strove to protect and deepen faith by the use of Greek philosophy. Central in his teaching is his doctrine of the Logos, who as divine reason is the teacher of the world and its lawgiver. Clement's chief work is the trilogy, Exhortation to the Greeks, The Teacher, and Miscellaneous Studies]. The commandment of the Lord shines clearly, enlightening the eyes. Receive Christ, receive power to see, receive your light, "that you may plainly recognize both God and man." More delightful than gold and precious stones, more desirable than honey and the honeycomb is the Word that has enlightened us. How could he not be desirable, he who illumined minds buried in darkness, and endowed with clear vision "the light-bearing eyes" of the soul? "Despite the other stars, without the sun the whole world would be plunged in darkness." So likewise we ourselves, had we not known the Word and been enlightened by him, should have been no better off than plump poultry fattened in the dark, simply reared for death. Let us open ourselves to the light, then, and so to God. Let us open ourselves to the light, and become disciples of the Lord. For he promised his Father: I will make known your name to my brothers and sisters, and praise you where they are assembled. Sing his praises, then, Lord, and make known to me your Father, who is God. Your words will save me, your song instruct me. Hitherto I have gone astray in my search for God; but now that you light my path, Lord, and I find God through you, and receive the Father from you. I become co-heir with you, since you were not ashamed to own me as your brother. Let us, then, shake off forgetfulness of truth, shake off the mist of ignorance and darkness that dims our eyes, and contemplate the true God, after first raising this song of praise to him: "All hail, O Light!" For upon us buried in darkness, imprisoned in the shadow of death, a heavenly light has shone, a light of a clarity surpassing the sun's, and of a sweetness exceeding any this earthly life can offer. That light is eternal life, and those who receive it live. Night, on the other hand, is afraid of the light, and melting away in terror gives place to the day of the Lord. Unfailing light has penetrated everywhere, and sunset has turned into dawn. This is the meaning of the new creation; for the Sun of Righteousness, pursuing his course through the universe, visits all alike, in imitation of his Father, who makes his sun rise upon all, and bedews everyone with his truth. He it is who has changed sunset into dawn and death into life by his crucifixion; he it is who has snatched the human race from perdition and exalted it to the skies. Transplanting what was corruptible to make it incorruptible, transforming earth into heaven, he, God's gardener, points the way to prosperity, prompts his people to good works, "reminds them how to live" according to the truth, and bestows on us the truly great and divine heritage of the Father, which cannot be taken away from us. He deifies us by his heavenly teaching. instilling his laws into our minds, and writing them on our hearts. What are the laws he prescribes? That all, be they of high estate or low, shall know God. And I will be merciful to them, God says, and I will remember their sin no more. Let us accept the laws of life, let us obey God's promptinhs. Let us learn to know him, so that he may be merciful to us. Although of it, let us pay God our debt of gratitude in willing speak, which we owe him for our lodging here below.