Greetings on this the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Jer 31:7-9; Ps 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6; Heb 5:1-6; Mk 10:46-52
Notes: Like Joshua, Jesus is moving us from this Exodus journey in this life to the promised Heaven on Earth with him.
First reading
The first reading celebrated the ingathering of the diaspora.
From far and wide the people are gathered again together to be with the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Second reading
Jesus makes the final journey.
All High Priests before him were partial and needing themselves forgiveness.
The Lord God however calls Jesus.
No one takes this honor upon himself
but only when called by God,
just as Aaron was.
In the same way,
it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest,
but rather the one who said to him:
You are my son:
this day I have begotten you;
just as he says in another place:
You are a priest forever
according to the order of Melchizedek.
Alleluia Verse
Our Savior Jesus Christ destroyed death
and brought life to light through the Gospel.
Gospel Portion
Let me take you back to the Exodus and the Book of Joshua.
The Rites at Gilgal and the fall of Jericho together mark the end of the Exodus event.
The Book of Josuha tells that once the Jewish people crossed the Jordan they did several things.
- Circumcision of all the men (who were born during the Exodus).
- Celebrated the Passover.
- Ate the unleaven bread from the land.
- The Manna ceased.
- Conquest of Jericho, the last major military campaign.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell after being encircled for seven days (Heb 11:30).
Joshua 6:1–27 tells the story of them marching around the city walls seven times with the Ark of the Covenant.
These walls, massive, imposing and impossible to break down tumbled down and defeat of the enemy. It was the first battle fought by the Israelites in the conquest of Canaan. It was the beginning of the fulfillment of occupying the Promised Land.
The story of the Blind Bartimaeus is a similar turning point in the gospel story.
It is the conclusion of the Galilean mission and the beginning of the mission in Jerusalem.
The gospel of Mark tells that after the curing of Batimaeus, several things.
- New Baptism in Christ.
- Celebrated the Passover.
- Ate the unleaven bread from the land.
- The New Manna began.
- Conquest of the Cross begins, the last major event of Jesus’ life.
Joshua and Jesus had the same mission but to a different degree.
Jesus’ mission is made known in the three declarations of the Passion.
They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went ahead of them. They were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside again, he began to tell them what was going to happen to him. “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and hand him over to the Gentiles who will mock him, spit upon him, scourge him, and put him to death, but after three days he will rise.” (Mk 10:32-34)
- It was in faith the walls of Jericho fell.
- It was in faith the Blind Bartimaeus (“honorable son”) was healed.
- It was by faith Jesus walked trusting in his Father.
The stations of the cross is a account of the passion of Jesus we do not recall lightly.
- Jesus is condemned to death
- Jesus takes up his Cross
- Jesus falls for the first time
- Jesus meets his Mother
- Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the Cross
- Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
- Jesus falls for the second time
- Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
- Jesus falls for the third time
- Jesus is stripped of his garments
- Jesus is nailed to the Cross
- Jesus dies on the Cross
- Jesus is taken down from the Cross
- Jesus is laid in the tomb
All to bring about Heaven on Earth.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 