30th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year B)
Readings: Jer. 31:7–9; Ps. 126:1–2, 2–3, 4–5, 6; Heb. 5:1–6; Mk. 10:46–52
Someone wisely said, “As followers of Christ, we carry the responsibility to be His hands and voice in the world, revealing His truth and love. Our lives must be a reflection of His light, so that through us, others may see and know His true identity.” Many people and saints have revealed Christ in unique ways, bringing forward aspects of His nature that were previously unknown. The evangelists would be foremost among them. Today, I want to highlight a particular person who unveiled a unique aspect of Jesus in Christian history: St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.
A 17th-century French Visitation nun, St. Margaret Mary experienced visions of Jesus in which He revealed His Sacred Heart as a symbol of His infinite love for humanity. In these visions, Jesus expressed His desire for a deeper devotion to His heart, inviting the faithful to practice specific devotions such as receiving Holy Communion on the First Fridays of the month, observing a Holy Hour, and celebrating a feast dedicated to His Sacred Heart. Recently, Pope Francis published his fourth encyclical on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, titled Dilexit Nos (“He Loved Us”) in the last week. In it, he invites us to deepen our devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Through St. Margaret Mary, we have been blessed to see one of the hidden beauties of Christ revealed.
Today’s liturgy invites us to grow in love for God so that we too may become channels for revealing His hidden beauty. In the first reading, taken from the Book of Jeremiah, the prophet delivers a message of hope and restoration as he speaks of God’s promise to gather His people once more, bringing them healing and release from suffering. Although Jeremiah is often called a prophet of lamentation or doom, this passage reminds us that he also prophesied joyfully. His prophecy finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, revealing the depth of God’s love for His people far ahead of time.
In the second reading, we hear more about Christ as the High Priest, a theme introduced in last Sunday’s reading. I noted that the author of Hebrews is the only New Testament writer who explicitly identifies Jesus as the High Priest. This week, the text adds another layer to our understanding by noting that just as Aaron was chosen by God, so too was Jesus. Quoting Psalm 110:4, it says, “You are a Priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” In this way, the author of Hebrews reveals the hidden beauty of Christ as the eternal High Priest who intercedes for all humanity.
The Gospel reading offers a unique account of healing from the Gospel of Mark. If you’re familiar with Mark’s Gospel, you’ll know that the first half is filled with miracle stories, which culminate in Peter’s declaration of Jesus as the Messiah. The second half shifts focus to Jesus’ journey toward Jerusalem, where His mission will reach its climax. The healing of Bartimaeus is the final miracle recorded in Mark’s Gospel. Although Jesus had revealed to His disciples three times that He would suffer and die, they failed to comprehend it, effectively “blindfolded” in their understanding. Here, Bartimaeus, though physically blind, displays a keen spiritual insight. Despite only hearing of Jesus and struggling through a crowded roadside, he makes his voice heard and calls out to Jesus as “Son of David,” a title that appears nowhere else in Mark’s Gospel. This title signifies Bartimaeus’ recognition of Jesus as the promised Messiah and the fulfillment of God’s covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Just as King David claimed Jerusalem, Jesus would assume His rightful place, ushering in a new covenant.
Each of the figures in today’s liturgy—Jeremiah, the author of Hebrews, Bartimaeus, and St. Margaret Mary Alacoque—revealed a distinct and beautiful aspect of God or Christ. Jeremiah proclaimed God’s tender love even in times of exile, the author of Hebrews presented Jesus as the eternal High Priest, Bartimaeus recognized Jesus as the Son of David, and St. Margaret Mary unveiled the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Through their faith, each had a profound encounter with the divine, allowing them to share hidden facets of God’s beauty. God’s wisdom and love are limitless, beyond our full understanding, but as we deepen our faith in Christ, we open ourselves to a greater knowledge of Him. May our own experiences help others come to know the hidden beauty of Christ.
Fr. Alex D’Mello
Diocese of Sindhudurg
