What I’m Thinking: Cry Out

They told Bartimaeus to be silent, but he cried all the louder: “Son of David! Have mercy on me!” And indeed, how other than crying out does anyone obtain mercy or justice?

Here’s a transcript:

I’m thinking a little bit in advance. I’ll be on vacation this coming week, and I won’t be in church on Sunday the 21st. The Rev. Linda Petrucelli will bring the Good News at Church of the Holy Cross.

On the 28th, the Gospel lesson is found at the end of Mark’s 10th chapter (Mark 10:46-52), the story of the blind man who called out until Jesus healed him. “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

It just strikes me that, in these days when people are unsure of their place in this society – in these days when people feel threatened, discounted, disregarded; when their pain goes unhealed and their sorrows go unheard, their tears undried and their justice undelivered – well, it strikes me that Bartimaeus’ repeated cry, “Son of David! Have mercy on me!” – that is the model for many in these days.

It’s been said by many people in many places, by the leaders of justice movements over the years, that justice is not given by those in power, it is demanded by those who are not in power.

So: Let there be mercy.

But first, there must be cries for mercy.

That’s what I’m thinking. I’m curious to hear about what you’re thinking. Leave me your thoughts in the comment section below; I’d love to hear from you.

The next episode of What I’m Thinking will be released on Monday, October 29th.