The Church: Reformed and Reforming

Homily – Sunday, the 27^th October 2024

Reading: Mark 10:46-52

Have we ever thought that some changes would be good in our personal lives? Some changes are needed the way we live our family lives or that some changes would be good for us as a church?

Today is Reformation Sunday. It is heartening to note that the gospel lesson for today is the story of the miraculous healing of Bartimaeus the person with visual impairment. What has the story of the blind Bartimaeus to do with us today? Not all of us are blind. We would surely say.

In continuation to the story last week may I ask the question again- If Jesus stops by today and asks us the question- What do you want me to do for you? What would you say?

Bartimaeus knew what he wanted – He clearly says I want to see again.

The word reformation comes from the Latin root reformare which means “to put to shape again” or “to restore”.  The Latin prefix re- means “again” or “back” and “formare” means to form or to shape. There is a subtle agreeing that something beautiful did somehow lose its charm and need to be restored back to its original beauty if not to a better form. It involves a sincere retrospection and realization. It acknowledges short comings and pitfalls. It calls for repentance and renewal. It looks ahead in hope for a fresh new beginning and a future of hope and confidence.

“The term Reformation came to signify the 16th-century religious and political movement initiated by figures like Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley, Zwingly and others who sought to “reshape” or “reform” the Christian Church, particularly by addressing perceived theological errors, moral corruption, and institutional abuses”. A milestone in this movement was when Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis at the Chapel door in Wittenberg on the 31st of October 1517 and ever since the last Sunday of October is celebrated as Reformation Sunday. It reminds us on the reemphaises of sola gratia- salvation by grace alone, sola fide- salvation by faith alone and sola scriptura- salvation by the scriptures alone.

Blinded as We Are

May I return to the story of Bartimaeus and ask- What are the facts that we are blinded about ouselves, about our family lives and about our church lives.

A recent survey revealed a few factors a person is usually blinded about oneself

• Communication style- how dominant or passive a person actually is
• Emotional Reaction- unrecognized patterns of overreaction or detachment
• Personal biases- how biased one actually is towards certain groups, behaviors and opinions
• Strengths/ Weaknesses- over estimating strengths and under estimating weakness or vice versa
• Body Language- how nonverbal cues such as facial impressions, postures and gestures communicate to others
• Listening Skills- how dismissive, distractive or judgmental each person is
• Impact on others- unintended hurt, encouragement or misunderstanding
• Consistency between words and actions
• Adaptability to change- unaware of underlying resistance and inflexibility
• Sense of humor- if ones humor is uplifting or it leads to unintentional alienation or offending others

This has great implications for the family too. Many a times members of th household are blinded to basic realities that others are able to see but they are unwilling to acknowledge

• Communication breakdowns
• Unclear boundaries- respecting personal boundaries and resultant tension and resistance
• Unresolved conflict- long standing conflicts remaining unattended or addressed
• Role rigidity- being the ‘responsible one’ or the ‘rebel’
• Avoiding difficult conversations
• Financial Stress and Lack of Transparency on Decisions and Spending
• Overcommitted schedules and being busy
• Generational Differences
• Lack of Emotional Support
• Resistance to Change- Adaptability issues specially with family movements, mourning or empty nest realities

The fact remains that as a Church too we could remain blinded to our pitfalls and shortcomings. Let us look at a few examples

• Allowing the corrupting ways of worldliness finds its space within the holy portals of the church
• Resistance to Change in areas like worship styles, social media engagement, response to contemporary issues
• Gender Inequality, Racial and Generational Exclusion
• Avoidance of Difficult Issues
• Clerical and Leadership Misconduct unaddressed
• Safeguarding Issues Ignored
• Lack of Diversity and Inclusion
• Over emphasis on numbers, traditions
• Legalism over Grace
• Reluctance to engage in social justice issues
• Failure to support mental health

What do we do when we realize that we are blinded. That is where the story of the healing of Bartimaeus must be read afresh today.

Re-reading the story of the healing of Bartimaeus

This is the narrative from Jericho- the story of blind beggar sitting by the roadside. Jesus and his disciples were entering the city.

Bartimaeus HEARD that Jesus of Nazareth was coming

He SHOUTED OUT- JESUS, SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME

It is very interesting to note that he had the courage to use the Messianic title of Jesus – Son of David- which several people around him would have hesitated to do, afraid as they were.

Many people around him told him TO BE QUIET. The followers of Jesus becoming stumbling blocks instead of enablers is a continuing saga.

He CRIED OUT LOUDLY- SON OF DAVID HAVE MERCY ON ME

Now see the Response of Jesus

JESUS STOOD STILL

CALL HIM HERE he said

They called him- Take heart, Get Up, Jesus is calling you

THROWING OFF HIS CLOCK, HE SPRANG UP and CAME TO JESUS

Jesus asked him- WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU

The Blind Man Said- MY TEACHER LET ME SEE AGAIN

MY TEACHER- RESHAPE ME, REFORM ME, RECREATE ME, REFRESH ME

Give Me a New Beginning

Immediately- He regained his sight, followed him, On the way

MIRACLES CONTINUE TO HAPPEN

What are the Lessons We Need to Learn?

Jesus keeps asking the question- What is that you want me to do for you?

Be confident that JESUS STOPS, CALLS YOU NEAR,

God will embrace your pain and weeping,

your helpless anger and distress.

If you are in God’s care and keeping,

in sorrow will God love you less?

For Christ, who took for you a cross,

will bring you safe through every loss.

Are we willing to BOLDY CALL ON HIM AS THE MESSIAH- THE SAVIOR NOT BEING ASHAMED

Are we willing to cry out in all humility- I WANT TO SEE AGAIN- I WANT A FRESH START

Do you see the smile and confidence of Christ- GO your faith has made you well.

Do Miracles happen Today?

A young boy came to the shop keeping with a 10 Euro bill in his hands asking- Will I be able to buy God here? The perplexed shop keeper sent him away disappointed. He did not lose hope. He went to shop after shop but for no avail. In the evening when he went to a shop he saw the shop owner listen to him with compassion. He asked why do you want to buy God. He said- My mother lost her eye sight fully and we took her to the doctor and he said ‘only God can heal her’. That’s why I came in search of God so that she could be healed. The shop owner asked- How much do you have with you to buy God. He said- Ten! The shop owner got details of his home and gave him a bottle of honey and said Take this. He asked, “Is this God?’ The owner just smiled.

The boy returned home late. But to his surprise saw his neighbours in the house and told him that the ambulance brigade came and took her to the hospital and that he could see her the next day. The boy reached the hospital next day only to know that his mother had already gone through an emergency eye surgery. It was a few days of wait in the luxurious hospital till the day when the bandage in the eye could be removed. When that happened, they were surprised that she could indeed see. However, the thought about the hospital bills were haunting them. He walked down to the reception only to learn that all the bills have been paid for by the same person who arranged the ambulance brigade to bring her and arranged for the best doctors to do the surgery. Who was that? He asked. She pointed him to the gentleman nearby who came to him with a smile. The same shop owner to whom he asked- Where can I get God?

How can I thank you or repay you, he asked for which the man said- help some body else to regain their sight so that they would see God afresh! Miracles do happen.

The Christoffel Blindenmission (CBM) is an international development organization for people with disabilities. Its namesake is Ernst Jakob Christoffel, who traveled to the Orient in 1908 to help blind and otherwise disabled people. The aim of the CBM is to break the cycle of poverty and disability in developing countries and to create a better quality of life and equal opportunities for people with disabilities. They continue to help several people overcome blindness. They continue the miracle of healing even today.

But our focus today is Reformation- Yes in our lives, the lives of our households and churches a re-formation is possible. Its never too late for a fresh new beginning. Miracles do happen.

Vinod Victor

October 27, 2024