30B21. Jeremiah 31:7-9. “Shout with joy for Jacob,” “the Lord has delivered his people, the remnant of Israel.” The Hebrew people had been taken into captivity by the conquering Babylonians. The Lord promised that he would restore his people, “for I am a father to Israel.”
Psalm 126. “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.” “Although they go forth weeping,” “they shall come back rejoicing” from captivity.
Mark 10:46-52. Bartimaeus, crying out, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me,” showed that he put his faith and trust in Jesus. In his position as a blind beggar on the side of the road many regarded him as to have no position or stature to have Jesus recognize his presence. When he heard that Jesus was responding to his plea, he threw off his cloak, his only worthwhile possession, to open himself to the goodness of Jesus. “Jesus told him, ‘Go your way; your faith has saved you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.” Unlike the rich man who held on to riches, Bartimaeus gave up what little he had, to gain the greatest riches anyone can possess.
Hebrews 5:1-6. “Every high priest is taken from among men and made their representative before God, to offer gifts and sacrifice for sins. He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring, for he himself is beset by weakness and so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people.” God called Jesus to be high priest. “In the days when he was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications.” “Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; and was made perfect, he became the source of salvation for all who obey him.” (Hebrews 5:7a & 8-9) Jesus in his humanity grew in holiness as we are all called to do. Not only is he a model for what we ought to be doing but even more importantly he stands before his Father to plead for us to be forgiven our sins and to grow in sanctity. “The Lord has done” and is doing “great things for us; we are filled with joy.”