Editor’s Note: This is a summary of a homily from Fr. Luke Daghir at the Elk County Catholic Middle School Matriculation (Gospel of Mark 10:46-52).
Bartimaeus's story has much to offer to our graduating 8th graders.
Bartimaeus is blind. However, when a person loses the ability to see, the other senses can be enhanced. Bartimaeus could hear very well.
I sometimes wonder in our digital age if we spent just a little less time on our phones and scrolling through media if we would be able to hear better. Maybe, in some way, Bartimaeus was at an advantage.
Despite the negative voices around Bartimaeus, he bravely begins to yell for Jesus. Bartimaeus cries out, "Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” However, those around Bartimaeus are negative and tell him to be silent. This is a reminder that the voices of negativity do not just happen in middle school. The many negative voices around us exist in high school, college, and the workforce.
However, Bartimaeus does not let these other negative voices stop him. Mark tells us that Bartimaeus “kept calling out all the more.” We need more Bartimaeuses in the American high school culture who are unafraid of what the other voices may say about pursuing Jesus. What Elk County Catholic High School needs, and every high school, are more students who are unafraid to pursue Jesus.
Then Jesus told some of His Apostles to call for Bartimaeus. They go to Bartimaeus and say, “Take courage…Jesus is calling you.” We need Apostolic high schoolers willing to encourage those around them to encounter Jesus.
Bartimaeus then springs right up. This symbolizes how the deepest yearning in the human heart is for Jesus. God hardwired us with a desire for our Creator. Like an internet platform that has an algorithm, so does the human heart. St. Augustine famously said, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee.” Bartimaeus understood this spiritual algorithm.
Then, the most powerful moment comes when Jesus asks Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?”
Bartimaeus says, “Master, I want to see.”
Notice how Bartimaeus has an immediate answer. It isn’t like Bartimaeus says to Jesus, “I’ve never thought of this before.” Bartimaeus knew what he wanted, and he courageously asked for it.
Bartimaeus teaches us a great lesson in the spiritual life: We should not fear asking God for what we truly want.
Each of you has things you want in high school. For some of you, you may want to make more friends. Others may want to learn more about a particular subject. Others may want to be more courageous and not let the fear of embarrassing oneself determine one’s every move. Maybe you want to be more courageous in class by raising your hand and sharing your thoughts, whereas in middle school, you kept your hand down. Others may want to become leaders on their sports team, in the band, or in another extra-curricular group.
Still, others may be unsure of what they want. That is ok. Ask Jesus to help you to want what He wants you to want.
Every Eucharist is a Bartimaeus moment.
Be courageous today when you come before Jesus in His real presence in the Eucharist, and like Bartimaeus, tell Jesus what you want. This is not just for our graduating 8th graders but for each of us.
We need more Bartimaeuses in the American high school culture—those who courageously yell all the more for Jesus amidst the many negative voices and who tell Jesus exactly what they want.
Mark concludes the story with this: “Immediately (Bartimaeus) received his sight and followed (Jesus) on the way.” Let Bartimaeus be an excellent spiritual companion with you in your prayer life in high school.
A good motto for your high school career is this: Be a Bartimaeus.
+ Fr. Luke Daghir