St Augustine of Canterbury | 27 May 2021

Today is Thursday, the 27 May, the Memorial of St Augustine of Canterbury in the Eighth Week of Ordinary Time.  

The Choir of Portsmouth Cathedral sing the Kyrie. As you begin a time of prayer today, spend a moment reflecting on the mercy of God.    

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark.  

Mark, 10:46-52  

They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Jesus stood still and said, ‘Call him here.’ And they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take heart; get up, he is calling you.’ So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man said to him, ‘My teacher, let me see again.’Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has made you well.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.   

Bartimaeus’ faith is challenging; he believes firmly that Jesus can heal him and this faith is rewarded. Do you instinctively trust in Jesus or are there things which hold you back from this?  

Bartimaeus suffered from physical blindness but there are parts of our lives where we might be seen as suffering from ‘spiritual blindness’ – a reluctance to confront what is really going on. Spend some time thinking through those areas of your life which are known only by you and God. Are you going to seek healing for them like Bartimaeus?  

As you listen again, notice the reaction of the onlookers and their attempts to stop Bartimaeus approaching Jesus. Are there times when the skepticism of others has led you to shy away from placing your complete trust in the Lord? If that is the case do you need to revisit that moment in your mind and ask Jesus to forgive your pride and intervene?  

Today, ask Jesus to heal your blindness – wherever it may be.  Ask him to enlighten those situations in your life where the answer is unclear and trust again in his capacity and willingness to heal.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.