“…He is calling you.” – Mk 10.49
We have been blessed in the office this week to have one of the younger members of our community doing work experience with us. I asked Angus if he would like to write his response to today’s gospel. This is what he shared:
In this week’s gospel, a man’s sight was restored. You could say he had a blind faith in Jesus. When reading this passage, I always think of doubting Thomas, the apostle who refused to believe that Christ was risen: “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side”.
These two people were both disciples of Jesus, and yet they were very different. One had a complete faith in Jesus, the other wanted proof of him. And they are a reflection of us. Are we willing to believe in Jesus even without seeing him, as Bartimaeus did, or do we need to know the risen Christ personally, as a friend, before we are willing to say, “Yes lord, I believe in you!”?
Perhaps, it’s a bit of both.
It’s exciting listening to the voices of the young. At our ALPHA gatherings on Sunday we have a beautiful mix of all generations with a significant representation of children, teenagers and young adults. It really is life-giving to engage in conversation about life and faith with people of all ages, and to be challenged by different perspectives and experiences. This is the communal life that we have been called to share with each other.
Let’s take up the challenge. Let’s continue to encounter new voices in our community.
Let’s listen.