Mother Suzanne shares her own gradual call to ministry alongside Bartimaeus's immediate call to discipleship in Mark's Gospel. She highlights how Bartimaeus, despite his blindness, recognized Jesus as "Son of David" and received healing through his persistent prayer, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me." Mother Suzanne challenges us to adopt this same prayer—"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner"—when we need healing, direction, or forgiveness.

THE GOSPEL                                                                                                                  Mark 10:46-52

Jesus and his disciples 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.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Artwork: Healing the blind man, by Václav Mánes (1793–1858)