Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me! Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

“What do you want me to do for you?”Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
~ Mark 10:46-52

Several times a day I will do a “toss-up” prayer. “Lord lead me on the path you have for me.” I have many “toss-up” prayers, today I’ll focus on this one. This little prayer is a way of reminding me to surrender my agenda and it helps get me back to my center.

In my quieter moments, I have been practicing different forms of prayer. When the above Mark scripture came across my path, I felt led to St. Ignatian’s Imaginative Prayer. This type of prayer is a way of meeting God through the story. As you allow the Holy Spirit to guide the prayer, not forcing anything, the prayer will unfold. Envision yourself in the Scripture story - using all your senses, heart, mind, imagination, spirit, and body, sitting with the story long after the reading ends. It is a wonderful, rich experience.

So when I took this Bible story to the Imaginative prayer practice, the Holy Spirit uncovered some of my blind spots. In the story of blind Bartimaeus, he wants to be healed. Jesus is willing and able so Bart gets up, finds the road, finds Jesus and he’s healed. Praise the Lord! But, why do you suppose Jesus didn’t go to him? Wouldn't that have been easier? I wonder how far Bart had to walk? Did Bartimaeus think, “really, I have to go to you? Where even are you?” A few days prior to this exercise, these were similar questions I was peppering God with. “God, why don’t you come to me? You seem so far. Do I really have to go looking for you? Where are you?” And in sitting with the story long after reading it, I sensed - Marlee, step onto the path like Bartimaeus, I am right here, willing and able to lead you on the path, (like I asked in my “toss-up” prayer) but you need to step onto the path. God is continually working for our good and he will do it with or without our cooperation, but oh, it is so much sweeter when we are with him on the journey. Peace,