Gospel Mark 10:46b-52
1. My Master?
“Rabbuni” – literally means, according to the Hebrew, “my Master.” This is how, in today’s Gospel, Bartimaeus addresses Jesus. Mary Magdalene, who loves Jesus, is the only other person we hear in the Gospel who says this to him. The others say only “Rabbi” – which means “Master.” And what do I call Jesus?
2. Key Words
Jesus, son of David, have pity on me!
Bartimaeus is not only a blind beggar from Jericho, but he is also a man of faith. When he heard that Jesus was passing by, he began to shout: “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me!” This was no ordinary cry; it was an ear-shattering shout that could be heard for nearly a mile, as the Greek word “krazo” used in the Gospel implies. Furthermore, it was a testimony of faith. The phrase “Jesus, son of David” in the Bible is a profession of faith that identifies Jesus as the Messiah.
These words of Bartimaeus became the beginning of one of the oldest prayers, the so-called “Jesus Prayer.” In the Eastern Christian tradition, it is comparable to the Rosary. It is still little known in the Western tradition, although it is over 1,500 years old and associated with monks in Egypt and Greece.
They, among others, influenced the form of the prayer that is still recited today: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner” (or similar wording).
The invocations are counted on the beads of a prayer cord, which, in Greek, is called komboskion. It is made of wool and there are knots on it to count the invocations.
The most important thing about the Jesus Prayer is that one stands in the presence of God. Invoking the name of Jesus has great power.
3. Today
Jesus said to Bartimaeus, “Go, your faith has healed you.” This does not merely mean believing in God, in His existence, but believing God, putting one’s trust in Him.
And today we celebrate...