Pentecost 22 (Mark 10:46-52)  10/28/2012

Listen to an audio recording <select here>

I recently had a conversation with a friend of mine and he mentioned that he hoped to soon walk the Camino de Santiago. The Camino de Santiago (or the “Way of St. James” in English) is a walking pilgrimage that has been popular for centuries. I found my friend’s story very interesting, but not because of his desire to take up a pilgrimage (we all know many pilgrims in this very place of St. John’s Church – our J2A youth just recently returning from Belize). I found my friend’s story interesting because his interest in walking the Camino de Santiago is the third or fourth mention of this pilgrimage I have heard in the past few weeks. Over these weeks, as I have heard the name of this pilgrimage repeated time and again, I have taken notice because repetition holds a particular meaning all to itself. The Bible regularly uses repetition, with stories of great significance being told over and over again. Repetition brings the story to the forefront of one’s mind, calling for special attention in the midst of the vast amount of information we encounter daily. This process of sifting is called “discernment” and discernment is a practice for everyone, not just pilgrims or people with a special concern. My friend’s story prompted me to think about the significance of this ancient walking pilgrimage. The Camino de Santiago started more than one thousand years ago and remains popular today. The earliest pilgrims started their journey from their homes and walked several hundred miles to the legendary burial place of St. James the Apostle, located in northwest Spain. Whether St. James is actually buried where legend says he is buried is not of the greatest significance, for the sacred way of this pilgrimage has long transcended any historical truth. During the many days of walking the Way of St. James, pilgrims meet others on their journey and they experience things they have never known before, and come to know themselves in new and unknown ways. Many share their stories in books, or blogs, or travel guides in an effort to help future discerning people come to know themselves in new and unknown ways. The process of sorting through all their experiences, this process called discernment, is an important element of dealing with so many stories, so many experiences. Discernment is the key to unlocking the mystery of all the stories and messages we receive; messages that urge us to stretch beyond the limits of our current understandings and expectations.

This morning in our Gospel lesson, we meet a discerning man named Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus was a seemingly helpless man, left to sit by the side of the road. Imagine this blind man sitting alone on the side of the road as the massive crowd swept by him, alone in his darkness as he struggled to hear the presence of Jesus among the noise. His only hope was to hear Jesus among the crowd, but that hope was enough and at the opportune time he cried out, “Jesus…have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:47) The crowd pushed back against the discerning blind man and “many sternly ordered him to be quiet.” (Mark 10:48) The crowd had encircled Bartimaeus and the people compelled him to let go of his search and accept his fate – but he would not listen: “He cried out even more loudly, have mercy on me!” Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, sitting on the side of the road, encircled by a large crowd and seemingly helpless, would not give up his repeated attempts to cry out to Jesus. He would not give in to the crowd because he had discerned a different life for himself and he was ready; ready to start living that life. As Bartimaeus sat in his lonely darkness among the large noisy crowd, he continued to call Jesus because he was filled with courage, trust and love. Jesus heard the cries of Bartimaeus and called out to him. The crowd quickly turned their opinion of the blind man’s fate, “take heart; get up” they called. Discernment can often feel like a swim against the strong currents of the world, but discernment is an exercise that ultimately leads one to moments of awareness and great refreshment.

Bartimaeus’ call reached the ears of Jesus and Jesus returned the blind man’s cry with a call of his own. Bartimaeus stood before Jesus and Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51) Jesus did not bring the blind man to him to provide secret answers; there was no peeking at the answer sheet of life – just a simple question, “What do you want me to do for you?” But Bartimaeus’ discernment prepared him for Jesus’ question: “I want to see again,” said the blind man. Certainly, the story of blind Bartimaeus receiving his sight is a miracle story, but the story is much more than a story of miraculous healing. Like the pilgrim walking the Way of St. James, Bartimaeus’ encounter with Jesus transcends the miraculous event because his life is changed forever! No more sitting on the side of the road for Bartimaeus; no more begging for money from those who pass by; his life was radically changed in every way. His life was radically changed but he was ready because he was a discerning man. His discernment prepared him and he immediately followed Jesus on the way.

We are in a season of discernment; a season of stewardship. The church year is coming to a close and in just one month the season of Advent brings a New Year. And as we close this year, we have an opportunity to finish this year in a thoughtful way – thoughtful to the sacred stories shared by our brothers and sisters of this church; thoughtful to the community of St. John’s and all that it has to offer; and thoughtful of the gifts we have been given. Time spent in thoughtful reflection is the practice of discernment. Discernment is a practice that opens our hearts and prepares us for action. As we prayerfully prepare for this coming year, we become aware that there are many things to be done and there are many gifts to be shared; and I pray that you will actively join me in this season of discernment, this season of stewardship. As you listen to the many stories of this world, I pray that you may discern the sacred stories that continually call you to an awareness of your gifts; gifts that you may faithfully share with others as you follow Jesus on the way.

AMEN.