Greetings!  

  

   Anaïs Nin has been on our mind this week as we watch events unfold around the world, in our own lives, and in the lives of people around us. We keep hearing one of our favorite and oft-used quotes ringing in the ears of our heart - "We don't see things as they are, we see things as we are."

   Maybe that explains how two people can witness the same event and see it, understand it, differently. Or, how we can read a scripture passage one day and hear one message and read it a day or a week or a year later and hear something completely different. We change; the way we are, the way we see, changes moment to moment. Most of the time we change slowly, imperceptibly. But sometimes in the blink of an eye . . .

   Next week's gospel lesson - Mark 10:46-52 - is about seeing things differently. Bartimaeus, a blind man sitting by the side of the road, marginalized, ignored, has a heart that sees Jesus as the Son of David, someone who can heal him. By the end of the encounter he also sees Jesus physically and decides to follow him. But there's so much more going on here.

   There's Jesus asking him, "What do you want me to do for you?" Bartimaeus responds "Let me see again?" Deep . . . That little exchange calls us to ask ourselves what we've lost sight of. How about you - have you lost sight of something that Jesus can help you see?

   There's also Jericho itself. The city was ancient even in Jesus' day. At about 9,000 old, it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth. And, at 853 feet below sea level it might be the "lowest" city on earth, about as low elevation-wise as one can get from the Temple, the house of God, in Jerusalem which is about 2,600 feet above sea level. See any parallels or metaphors there?

   One more - the name Bartimaeus. In addition to meaning Son of Timaeus (Bar-Timaeus), Bartimaeus can mean either "son of poverty" or "son of the unclean" in Aramaic. That, of course, leads us to ask ourselves how we "see" people in poverty or the "unclean," the marginalized . . . those who are not like us. It invites us to see poverty and the impoverished in ways that lead to their empowerment so that they might leave the side of the road in a very low place and find a seat at the table.

  Wait! One more - the "Son of David" piece. It could simply be that Bartimaeus was acknowledging that Jesus is a descendant of David. Or, it could mean that Bart was saying Jesus was Solomon who, in addition to his wisdom was know as a healer . . .

   Finally, let's loop back to Jesus asking "What do you want me to do for you?" What do you want Jesus to do for you?

    It's a fair question, isn't it? So, answer it!

   We're not sure, but somehow the reading from Paul's letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 7:23-28) connects with this. Psalm 34:1-8 is a favorite passage and seems to tie in nicely with the gospel reading. And, the piece from Job (Job 42:1-6 & 10-17) is a real eye-opener.

   We hope that you'll share your thoughts/feeling either by dropping Steve a note [address below] or by joining us for GodTalk which meets in the second floor chapel at 85 Grand Street (aka The Brick Building), Newburgh, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday evening. We begin with some catch up time followed by centering music, prayer, a reading of the gospel and a no holds barred conversation. We'll be pleased to have you join our merry band (use the link below to let us know you'll be coming).