Help us, Lord!

The story is told about a wife who approached the priest after the Mass and apologized for her husband who walked out while the priest was preaching. “That was OK,” the priest said, but, as if adding insult to injury, she went on to say: “You see Father, my husband is a somnambulist—he often walks while he is asleep!”

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In today’s Gospel (Mark 10, 46-52), we hear the story of Bartimaeus, a blind man who did not sleep while Jesus was passing by. On the contrary, he was persistent in calling out to Jesus, and full of faith cried out: “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” How persistent are we in our faith? How humble are we in the presence of God? How desperate are we in our relationship to our Lord and Master?

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Don’t be the tough, the rich, the powerful who take God for granted, who belittle and even mock Him now. Praying that someday, soon, we all will realize His tremendous love for us, and our deep need for Him.

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Humility is the key to God’s heart. People “by the roadside” are so open to God’s presence and love. People on the “fast lane,” so wrapped up in their worldly comfort, wealth and fame are the ones who are blind, and cannot see their dependence and need for God. Like Bartimaeus, let our prayer be: “Lord, I want to see.”

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Are there people “by the roadside” in your life, people you take for granted, people whom you just pass by? Like Jesus, may we learn to stop, and take time for the unknown, the “insignificant” and the “unworthy” people, the many “Bartimaeus” we encounter along the way. Never underestimate the value of affirmation and kindness.

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It is interesting to note that Jesus did not directly call Bartimaeus. He instructed His disciples to bring him into His presence. We all have a mission to bring people closer to God. Have you brought people closer to God? Have you shared your faith with others?

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Take note, too, that Jesus asked Bartimaeus the question: “What do you want me to do for you?” That’s a far cry from our politicians who right away broadcast and impose what they think people need or want. Worse are those who know how to use money to capitalize on the needs of the poor, for their own agenda. May our people be given the grace to really see, and not just be blinded by money, empty promises, and manipulations of those who call themselves “public servants.”

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Lord, have pity on us! We don’t need more natural calamities in our country. And please, Lord, no more political calamities in our country. We don’t need more selfish, proud, useless, vain, shallow, and deceitful politicians.

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Bishop Arturo Bastes, SVD, DD, has gone home to his creator at the age of 80. He just slept into eternity last Oct. 20, 2024, Mission Sunday. The former bishop of the Diocese of Romblon and Sorsogon has always been a missionary at heart, ever ready to go, and adapt, improvise, and implement new ways of mission and evangelization. He was a brilliant professor and an eloquent preacher, but more so, a joyful, kind, and humble person, with a heart.

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Just grateful at 44! That’s how I feel as I celebrated 44 years of my priestly ordination last Oct. 25. I was ordained priest at the age of 27. Now at 71, I look back, and pray with more conviction than ever, my ordination prayer: “Lord, You have called me not so much because of me, but in spite of me; not so much to become a somebody, but a someone to You and to Your people; Keep me, Oh, Lord ever in Your heart. Amen. At 71, less hard work now, but “heart” work goes on.

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As we commemorate All Saint’s Day, let us be reminded that we are all sinners, but we all have potential to become saints. Someone put it beautifully: “There is no sinner without a future; there is no saint without a past.”

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We all remember our departed loved ones. Life is short. Death is certain. Nothing lasts except the love we have shared in our lifetime. Let us not postpone our conversion. Let us not postpone our loving and sharing.

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, please help us! We need you. Amen.

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