Persevere!

The word “Lent” actually literally means Springtime, the perfect season for renewal! Here’s Sister Mary’s mid-week pick-me-up for the “mini-retreat” that will refresh your soul throughout Lent. Here’s a list of all of the weeks’ posts. 

By Sister Mary Core, OSB

We’ve all heard the old adage: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”

It’s that perseverance and determination on the part of the blind Bartimaeus that so endears this man to me.

He didn’t give up. Despite being told repeatedly to shush, he kept calling out: “Son of David, have pity on me.”

Bartimaeus had nothing to lose and everything to gain, and thus he stood against the “many” and called out to Jesus.

He may have been afraid of what those “many” would do to him, and still he called out to Jesus.

He may have thought, “Why are they rebuking me,” and still he called out.

So determined was Bartimaeus, that he rose above the many voices calling for his silence and his lone voice was heard by Jesus.

I find it interesting that when Jesus tells the crowds to “call him,” it is they who change their tone with Bartimaeus, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, he is calling you.”

“Take courage” was what Bartimaeus had already done.  Excitedly, “He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.”

Would that our prayer were as determined!  As persevering! As filled with trust and faith!! 

Would that we might excitedly throw aside everything when Jesus beckoned us!

Questions for Reflection …

•    Do you remain determined and persevering in your prayer? In what you know is right?

•    Are you able to remain persistent in “calling out” for the good of others, even when the many want silence?

•    Have you ever been among the crowd “waffling” or swaying in one direction and then another?

•    How do you feel when “rebuked and told to be silent?” What gives you courage to keep calling out?

Because Bartimaeus remained focused and persevered, he was told by Jesus, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the way.

Indeed, if we trust and persevere, the same can be said to us.