HAVING FAITH

SERMON PREACHED BY FR. TONY NOBLE ON OCTOBER 29, 2006

Mark 10:51 "Go your way; your faith has made you well. And immediately he received his sight."

Two weeks ago I told a funny story about Groucho Marx joining an exclusive club. Another story is told of the actor Victor Mature who is known for his somewhat leaden romantic roles. He applied for membership in a very exclusive Los Angeles Country Club. However he was informed: "We don't accept actors." Mature protested: "I'm no actor and I've got 64 movies to prove it!" I thought he was a great actor. Obviously I saw him in a different light.

And similarly the blind man in today's gospel. He saw exactly who Jesus was. "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" He couldn't actually see Jesus but he knew he was the Messiah - unlike all the others who couldn't see who Jesus was even, though they could see him as plain as day.

I wonder how Bartimaeus knew that Jesus was the Messiah? Knowing Jesus was an ongoing problem, as we have heard in the last few weeks. In St. Mark's gospel we have had stories where people did not see who Jesus was.

Last week James and John the sons of Zebedee wanted the best seats in the house. They thought it was all about privilege and power. The week before, the rich young man wanted to have everything that Jesus offered. When the challenge came he went away because he had much wealth.

Every time Jesus interacted with a group they often couldn’t see really who he was. In today's gospel there is a suggestion of that where it says that the disciples rebuked the blind man. They told him not to bother Jesus. They didn't understand. But not Bartimaeus. He saw Jesus with the eyes of faith. And so Jesus' response is: "go your way, your faith has made you well."

How do we feel about that? I'm sure all of us at some time in our faith have asked for a blessing of some sort from Jesus, and we have been disappointed. Many Christians cry for healing - yet people remain sick, people suffer and they die, as all of us will one day. Is it only given to some Christians that their faith will heal them? And if that is so what is the alternative? Without faith what would we do in our deep valleys and dark moments? Even though we may not always get our prayers answered in the tough time. We aren't always supplied with the answer, but always with the strength we need.

Why was this man so blessed amongst all the people? What was significant about him. The fact that his name is recorded shows this was a special occasion. But it wasn't special because of who he was - it was special because of what Jesus did to him. And as Mark makes clear - it is all about who Jesus is.

Standing in their midst that day is not just another Rabbi, or teacher, or miracle worker, or leader of people. No this is the Christ. And they could not see it except the one who was blind.

All the stories Mark has presented to us this last month have been to teach us this abiding truth. And consider what we have been hearing: about marriage and relationships, about money and possessions, about sickness and healing - just to name the last 3 weeks. All things that are a part of our daily life. At the heart of all these stories and occasions, there is this one fact that Jesus is the Christ. Everything Jesus does in these situations, in teaching and preaching and healing, is to point to God's kingdom, which he has come to bring about.

The kingdom which we have been made members of by baptism. And yet are we not sometimes blind to the reality of that?

Consider our church, All Saints. We are about to celebrate our great festival. We pride ourselves on our reverence and traditional liturgy. It means so much to us and it moves us. This traditional liturgy we celebrate points above all to God's kingdom as a present reality. It takes us beyond ourselves - even the way the church is set up, how it leads us forward to look at Jesus reigning from the cross. In fact the liturgy keeps alive for us the vision of the kingdom. .

Therefore at Mass we often experience the Power of God, and the presence of Jesus as our Lord. And some people even experience healing at Mass. Hopefully for all us more than just physical healing, a healing of mind and spirit.

Like the kingdom which Jesus has ushered in, All Saints church is a place where all are welcomed into the kingdom, embraced and made whole. It is also a place where were can bring our burdens and our failings, confident that we also may hear words of Jesus: "Go your way your faith has made you whole."

But of course there is something about All Saints which is special and different. When we talk about the kingdom, and the church, and the liturgy, we also use the words Catholic and Tradition. We use those words meaning a party badge, or what people call churchmanship, or some relic from the past which may be irrelevant. BUT reminding us that here we encounter the immeasurable riches of Christ, which he has given to his church. Given as a gift to you and I, his people. Not to see this is to be like Bartimaeus if Jesus had not passed by that day.

God's kingdom is shown as it really is by the calendar this coming week when we celebrate All Saints' Day and All Souls Day. Consider what those two days in our calendar mean.

Here is God's kingdom: Firstly we, the church on earth, offering this holy sacrifice in the midst of our pilgrimage of faith.

Then the saints in heaven - praying for us, that we may be full of faith as they are.

Finally on All Souls Day, the church expectant in paradise. Our departed loved ones and family being lovingly prepared by God to be with him forever - as we pray and trust we also may be when our time comes.

So calendar and liturgy, something a bit quaint for many people. How wonderful that these two things reveal that our part of the kingdom truly makes festival as embraced and loved members of Jesus' kingdom, receiving all the wonderful riches that Christ has bestowed upon his children.