Pew Sheet, Sunday, October 27th 2024. Last Sunday after Trinity, Proper 25
Our Old Testament reading is attributed to Jeremiah, whose book (in spite of the often negative or pessimistic associations made with his name) is often called ‘The Book of Consolation’ because in it, Jeremiah informs those taken into exile that God will restore them to their homeland after their military defeat and exile by the Babylonians in 587 BC whilst alluding to the earlier and more partial exile of the people of the northern Kingdom of Israel (or Ephraim) which had taken place under the Assyrians in 722-721 BC. The historicity and extent of these exiles are well attested to by many historical artefacts and archaeological sources, including part of a wall mural depicting many Hebrew families being taken into exile by the Assyrian king Sennacherib in the British Museum.
The fact that the promises spoken by Jeremiah within the broader text of the book attributed to him relate to all the Hebrew people, from both northern and southern kingdoms, shows that God’s promise of redemption is for all of them, despite the different and sometimes competing histories, allegiances, military and political fates of the two separate kingdoms which had diverged considerably after David and Solomon’s reigns. No wonder then, that Jeremiah promises that there will be great rejoicing on their return to their homeland, which was finally accomplished after the Persian defeat of Babylon (and Assyria) when Ezra was first allowed by Cyrus I to return and rebuild the city and its temple, and then Nehemiah, a trusted servant of the later king Artaxerxes was sent to rebuild the city’s defensive walls after pleading with the king to assist with Jerusalem’s protection.
In this, we see a great reversal in the fate of the people from both Israel and Judah, whose return home is divinely accomplished. It consisted of the ‘great company’ of God’s people including the blind and the lame, those who were pregnant, and those in labour (whom one might expect to have been left behind until a later date), highlighting the wholescale nature of the return. The message of the text is that no one is a ‘deadweight’ or a burden, but their value as intrinsic members of God’s chosen people are highlighted for specific mention and celebrated.
In our Gospel passage, we read how blind Bartimaeus receives his sight after calling out to Jesus the Son of David, and immediately sets out to follow Jesus ‘on the way’, showing that God is once more setting the blind and the oppressed free, and giving them liberty to go where he first leads, though on this occasion, it is to follow the one who heals and redeems him from his blindness, rather than to a specific place or location, and I can imagine that Bartimaeus would have continued to do so for the rest of his life.
Note however, that the healing of Bartimaeus is not automatic, and Jesus does not assume what Bartimaeus wants or is asking for. He precedes his action by asking, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’. Often when we pray, it feels as if we have to ‘psych’ ourselves up to ask for something which God doesn’t really want to give us (not that prayer is just about asking!), but here we see God specifically asking a blind man, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ There is an openness and a willingness to first find out what it is that we want or need, and a desire to accomplish it when we ask aright. How many of us though, have doubted, or failed to believe that God really does want to do something for us as he did for Bartimaeus and those exiles calling out to him in their distress? Perhaps because we do not perceive ourselves to need God’s grace or redemption, which can be one of the greatest blindnesses of all!
Collect
Merciful God,
teach us to be faithful in change and uncertainty,
that trusting in your word
and obeying your will
we may enter the unfailing joy of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Jeremiah 31:7-9
For thus says the Lord:
Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,
and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;
proclaim, give praise, and say,
‘Save, O Lord, your people,
the remnant of Israel.’
See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,
and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,
among them the blind and the lame,
those with child and those in labour, together;
a great company, they shall return here.
With weeping they shall come,
and with consolations I will lead them back,
I will let them walk by brooks of water,
in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;
for I have become a father to Israel,
and Ephraim is my firstborn.
Hebrews 7:23-end
Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues for ever. Consequently, he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son, who has been made perfect for ever.
Mark 10:46-end
They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Jesus stood still and said, ‘Call him here.’ And they called the blind man, saying to him, ‘Take heart; get up, he is calling you.’ So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man said to him, ‘My teacher, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has made you well.’ Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
Post Communion Prayer
God of all grace, your Son Jesus Christ fed the hungry with the bread of his life and the word of his kingdom: renew your people with your heavenly grace, and in all our weakness sustain us by your true and living bread;
who is alive and reigns, now and for ever.
Amen.
Please pray for:
All of the children and staff of our local schools, that they may find peace, rest and rejuvenation this half-term. Pray too for those parents, for whom the school holidays are a source of worry or anxiety, that they will receive the help and support they need at this time.
Monday (Simon and Jude, Apostles)
Commemoration Service, Peter George O’Dell, 1pm St Laurence Church
Bell ringing at 7.30pm in St Laurence. Contact Jan on 07835 461361.
Tuesday (James Hannington, Bishop, Martyr in Uganda, 1885)
Zoom Morning Prayer at 9am ID: 748 9970 4493 Password: Trinity or contact Didier on [email protected]
Wednesday
Morning Coffee from 10.00-11.45 in the St Laurence Rooms.
Midweek Holy Communion at 12.00 noon, St Laurence Church.
Daytime Bible Group (2nd & 4th Tuesdays) Call Paula on 07722 808 988.
Evening Home Groups, Call Jo on 07803 942 687.
Thursday (Martin Luther, Reformer, 1546)
Daytime Home Group, Call Jo on 07803 942 687.
Friday (All Saints Day)
Junior Choir at 6.30pm, followed by full Choir Practice at 7.30pm.
Sunday 3rd November
Annual ‘In Loving Memory Service’
4pm, Sunday 3rd November at St Laurence Church.
Please submit the names of those you would like to be remembered in the service by 11.00 am on Sunday the of 3rd of November.
Thank you!
Pastoral Care: Call 07305 271148 or email [email protected]