Gospel in Art: Immediately Bartimaeus' sight returned and he followed Jesus

Christ Healing the Blind Man, by Gioachino Assereto © Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburg

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 30 May 2024
Mark 10:46-52

As Jesus left Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus (that is, the son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting at the side of the road. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout and to say, 'Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me.' And many of them scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he only shouted all the louder, 'Son of David, have pity on me.'

Jesus stopped and said, 'Call him here.' So they called the blind man. 'Courage,' they said 'get up; he is calling you.' So throwing off his cloak, he jumped up and went to Jesus. Then Jesus spoke, 'What do you want me to do for you?' 'Rabbuni,' the blind man said to him 'Master, let me see again.' Jesus said to him, 'Go; your faith has saved you.' And immediately his sight returned and he followed him along the road.

Reflection on the painting

Today's canvas was painted circa 1640 by Gioachino Assereto. Based in Genoa, Italy, he was heavily influenced by the work of Rubens. We see Christ in full movement reaching out to touch Bartimaeus' eyes. The blind man is leaning backwards, taken by surprise. His stick is floating on his right into an empty space. It will no longer be needed after the healing, made obsolete by Jesus' touch. A cheeky child is about to steal the man's begging cup but, as the little boy witnesses the healing, he leaves the cup where it was. There can't be any stealing witnessing the magnificence of the miracle. The three different arms in the middle section (Jesus', the blind man's, the child's) are beautifully juxtaposed.

Once Bartimaeus could see, a whole new world opened up for him. When we get up in the mornings and open our eyes, do we really see the world around us? Do we notice the Spring leaves on the trees, the May sunsets, the homeless man we walk past, the old lady who may need help…? If our sight had been healed like that of the blind man in our reading, we actually would notice all these things. Today is a day we can pray for us to regain our sight too.

Bartimaeus sought not pity or material wealth but craved only mercy. Despite his blindness, he discerned the essence of mercy in Jesus. His plea was not for alms that he would soon spend but for a profound transformation. When Jesus posed the question, "What do you want me to do for you?" Bartimaeus responded unequivocally: "Let me see again." In this straightforward reply, he surrendered himself entirely to Jesus' authority. This surrender transformed Bartimaeus from the role of a beggar by the roadside to a companion walking alongside Jesus on the road of life.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/mark-10-46-52-2024/

and Art and Christianity on Songs of Praise: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/49830