cloak and dagger
Bartimaeus "threw aside his cloak, jumped up and came to Jesus." —Mark 10:50
Blind Bartimaeus is sitting by the Jericho roadside. There's a big crowd following Jesus as He passes by. Bartimaeus may be blind, but with eyes of faith he sees that Jesus is the Messiah, that is, the "Son of David" (Mk 10:47). He also realizes that Jesus is merciful, so he cries to Jesus, "Have pity on me!" (Mk 10:48)
When Jesus calls him over, Bartimaeus throws aside his cloak (Mk 10:50). This is a tremendous act of faith for a blind man. His cloak is his only means of staying warm. If Jesus does not heal him of blindness, he may never be able to find that cloak again in such a big crowd. In addition, by throwing aside his cloak, Bartimaeus can't prevent someone from stealing it. By throwing aside his cloak, Bartimaeus professes his faith in Jesus far more loudly than any words he screamed.
The way we live screams to the world whether we believe Jesus is Lord of our life. What are you holding onto? Is there something you need to throw aside before you are free enough to come to Jesus? Throw it away, and "get up," for Jesus "is calling you" (Mk 10:49-50).
Prayer: Jesus, I will consider everything I have to be "rubbish" so that You can be my Lord (Phil 3:8).
Promise: "He makes known the past and the future, and reveals the deepest secrets." —Sir 42:19
Praise: St. Philip Neri was persuaded by his confessor to become a priest and was ordained at age thirty-six.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.) (For a related teaching, order our tape Pride and Faith on audio AV 64-1 or video V-64.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 12, 2004
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.