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THURSDAY OF THE 8TH WEEK OF THE YEAR, MAY 28TH, 2026.

Readings: 1Peter 2:2-12; Psalm 100; Gospel Mark 10:46-52.

Theme: MIRACLES DO HAPPEN FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE. 

Bartimaeus comes from two Aramaic/Hebrew names. Bar means son. Timaeus means tame, trash, impure, unclean, polluted. Bartimaeus can therefore be translated as the son of tame or the son of fear. If we go further, we could also call him the son of trash, the son of pollution. Every negative adjective can be used to qualify this man. Apparently, his father's name meant tame, fear, trash, pollution, etc. Bartimaeus made up his mind to rise above this surname of fear, timidity,  pollution, and negativity. 

Bartimaeus had heard of the many miracles Jesus had done. When he heard Jesus preaching as he walked along with the crowd, he cried out to Jesus to come to his help. The crowd tried to stop him because he was obstructing the teaching. He did not stop. Bartimaeus cried out louder. It was the louder cry that made Jesus to ask  him to come.

When we need something, we must pray for it. The voice of discouragement can come from anywhere, sometimes from even those who are very close to us. Sometimes from even those we think that should encourage us. In the case of Hannah, Eli the priest was the voice of discouragement accusing her of having taken alcohol. Hannah cried out the more to God. And God granted her prayer. We must be persistent in our prayers. We must resist every form of distraction during our prayers. Sometimes, the distractions might come from phone calls, Television screens, and all kinds of gadgets that distract our prayers in today's world. Every form of distractions during prayers represent those voices trying to shut Bartimaeus up. But he persisted and cried the louder.

When Jesus asked Bartimaeus to come, the same crowd that tried to discourage him from reaching Jesus were the same people who helped him to walk up to Jesus. If not, how could a blind man have walked through the crowd? The same people who try to discourage you when you are making efforts in life are the same ones who would rush to celebrate with you when you succeed. Therefore, be focused in whatever you have set out to do.

When Bartimaeus reached Jesus, why did Jesus ask him, "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus saw Bartimaeus begging by the roadside. Jesus  heard even the first cry of Bartimaeus. Jesus saw Bartimaeus being helped by the people with his walking stick. Jesus knew Bartimaeus was blind. Yet he asked him what he wanted from him. God needs to hear us ask what we need. God tests our faith occasionally. God knows our worries before we ask. Yet, the word of God says, "Ask and you shall receive. Seek, and you shall find. Knock and the door shall be opened(Mathew 7:7).

Miracles still happen for those who believe. Your own miracles are on the way. Never give up. Pray until something happens. 

Jesus Loves You!