Jer 31.7-9; Heb 5.1-6; Mk 10.46-52

• In the Gospel today, the pitiful yet noble Bartimaeus meets Christ. Bartimaeus is so helpless, trusting and desperate, unashamed of his poverty; a man in touch with his real needs. Unlike most of us, he knows he is not self-sufficient; he knows his life is in need of a saving presence.

• When Jesus passed by, Bartimaeus’ hope was awakened, crying out: “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.” Our Lord heard his cry for pity and was moved. Jesus is not embarrassed by us, by our secret anguish, our loneliness, our weakness or poverty, or even our sins. In fact, these make us more attractive to Jesus. Misery draws down mercy.

• As pro-life Catholics, we must always look with mercy on those who, for whatever reason, have committed sins against life. We must continually pray for them and ourselves, “Lord, that [they] I may see,” hoping that Jesus becomes for them, as he became for Bartimaeus, the deepest longing of their heart.

Pro-Life Intercession

That our eyes may be opened to see more clearly the dignity of every human life, whether healthy or sick, convenient or inconvenient, born or unborn, we pray to the Lord ...