"CLOSE-OPEN, CLOSE-OPEN"

a personal reflection on today's Gospel Mark 10:46-52 (October 28, 2018)

Kulang ang buhay pag wala ang Diyos. Because everyone needs God in their lives. They might not admit it. They might even deny God exists but deep in their hearts they are crying out "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Mark 10:47)

Sadly, we sometimes choose to CLOSE the door to those who are seeking. Maybe we are too righteous so we tend to shut the door on them. Like in Mark 10:48 ".. many rebuked him, telling him to be silent". We should be more OPEN so we can lead them to Christ. We encourage them to "take heart; rise, he is calling you." (Mark 10:49)

Buti pa nga ang bulag nakakakita! That's the scene in today's Gospel when Bartimaeus cried out "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Mark 10:47). He "saw" Jesus while others questioned if Jesus was the saviour.

That's faith! His eyes were CLOSED but his heart was OPEN for God. Because of his faith, Bartimaeus "saw" God. We don't see God because we are spiritually blind. What causes this blindness? Our very own M-A-T-A.

• M-ATERIALISM. When focus too much in material things we become too self-sufficient. Money becomes our security. "Ok lang huwag magsimba kasi may pera" becomes our mantra. That's the concern of rich young man in Matthew 19. He followed all the commandments but he could not let go of his possessions.
• A-CTIONLESS. When we fall into the sin of omission. When we become indifferent. Prayer coupled with action is what God teaches us. When Jesus heard Bartimaeus he immediatelty 'stopped and said, "Call him."' (Mark 10:49). That's love in action.
• T-HEOLOGY over CHARITY. Anesthesia is use to block us from physical pain. As Christian, we sometimes use "spiritual" anesthesia. Ano yun? When we use spiritual matters to block ourselves from helping others. The priest & the Levite in Luke 10 failed to help the man who was robbed because they prioritized their role in the temple. Let us follow the example of the Good Samaritan who took time to help out the man.
• A-KO MUNA SYNDROME. When we put our interests or problems above everything else. "Pag di umikot ang mundo sa akin ayoko na sa mundo!" John the Baptist said "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30). Jesus, hanging on the cross, did not focus on his condition. He ignored all the pain in HIS body so HE can talk to the robber & save him.

M-A-T-A. These four things make us blind. Be cautious about your M-A-T-A. Because when we are blind we cannot #ShareAboutJesus to everybody.

God asked Bartimaeus - “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus is asking us the same today. Why don't we ask HIM also - "Lord, what do YOU want me to do for YOU?"

May you have a blessed week! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com