I find myself wondering
about Bartimaeus,
the blind begger
who shouted and roared,
imploring Jesus
to have pity on him.

Bartimaeus’ shouting
went against the social niceties
of the time.
His behaviour was frowned upon
and was somewhat loutish.
People beside Bartimaeus
seem to have been
a little embarrassed by his loudness
and tried to shush him,
like you would do with a child.

But today
Bartimaeus would not be silenced.
Jesus heard his cry for help
and cured him.

I find myself wondering
about Bartimaeus.

Was it desperation
that made him so determined
to attract Jesus’ attention?
and was it sheer excitement
that caused Bartimaeus
to leap up
in answer to Jesus’ call?

On that day
Bartimaeus showed no interest whatsoever
in what other people
might think of him.

What about us?
In an increasingly secular world
do we allow fear
of what others might think of us
to stifle our own personal
quest for God?

© Claire Murray, 29 May 2016