WORLD MISSION SUNDAY: We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard.

XXX SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Mark 10:46-52

This Sunday, the 24th of October, we celebrate the World Mission Sunday, for which Pope Francis proposed the following theme: “We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard”.

When we speak of Jesus and invite others to encounter him and to make the experience of his redeeming love, we are not proselytising. Philip had been called by Jesus and that call changed his life. He could not keep for himself the extraordinary experience he had made. When he met his friend Nathanael, he had to give him the Good News: “We have found him”, the Messiah. Seeing that Nathanael was not convinced, Philip did not impose his newfound faith on his friend, and proposed to him a simple invitation: “Come and see”. (Jn 1:46).

When the apostles were forbidden by the religious leaders to announce Jesus as the Son of God and Saviour, they answered: “We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:20). This has been the experience of countless people throughout the centuries: feeling loved and redeemed by Christ, they cannot but speak about that love. Jesus said: “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled!” (Lk 12:49). When we are set on fire by Jesus’ love, we cannot hide it. All the ones who come close to us are warmed and enlightened by that fire.

In this Sunday’s gospel, Mark reports the healing of a blind beggar called Bartimaeus. The main purpose of Mark is not to present a historically accurate narrative but to give a lesson of catechesis.

Like Bartimaeus, we are in darkness, living by the side of the road, being ignored and despised by those who think highly of themselves. All pass through that plight and all are in need of seeing the light and being saved. Bartimaeus’ cry is our cry: “Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me.” Recognising our sinfulness, we entreat Jesus to heal and save us. It is good to pray continuously as many Christians have done during generations: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me (us), a sinner.” No obstacle should deter us from calling on Jesus to have mercy on us. Hearing our cry, Jesus will call us to him as he did to Bartimaeus. Jesus wants to hear from our lips our request: “What do you want me to do for you?” The answer came clear: “Master, let me see again.” Let me have the light of faith to illumine my path and guide me to you. Jesus’ answer is reassuring: “Go; your faith has saved you.”. And the blind beggar became a disciple of Jesus, following “him along the road.”.

We cannot deny the light to all those who cry out to Jesus asking for the gift of faith. Indeed, “We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard”.