Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Eight Week : Thursday*

*Gospel : Mk 10:46-52*

*First Reading : 1 Pt 2:2-5, 9-12*

*“Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.*

*1) One needs courage to follow Jesus*

In the Gospel of the day, we have a incident of healing the blind Bartimaeus

In the process of healing Bartimaeus, Jesus calls him to come to His place

So someone in the crowd said to Bartimaeus, *Take courage, get up, Jesus is calling you*

This shows to go to Jesus one needs courage 

*2) Why one needs courage?*

First of all the demands of Jesus are very challenging 

Jesus does not promise easy and comfortable life and mission 

He calls us for a challenging mission. 

*Take up your cross and follow me* This one aspect shows why one should have courage to follow Jesus 

*3) Only Courageous people can follow Jesus*

History has proved that no cowards will be able to follow Jesus 

To follow Jesus and His teaching one needs tremendous inner courage and conviction 

To forgive one needs courage

To serve others - courage needed 

To humble oneself

To show the other side the cheek 

To walk two miles 

To be generous towards others 

To carry the cross 

To make sacrifices 

So every little mission of the Lord needs courage to carry out 

*4) Why Bartimaeus, needed courage?*

First of all he had to throw his cloak, which was everything for Bartimaeus,  so far 

Secondly, he had to walk and go to Jesus, since Jesus had called him there 

Thirdly many people discouraged him, about the whole episode. To keep going Bartimaeus, needed a great courage

Fourthly, the end result was not know, even though he had believed in the power of Jesus 

Finally he needed courage to follow Jesus and face the  people and their reactions after he had gained his sight. 

*5) Courage can change our life for better*

Bartimaeus,  took courage, went to Jesus, who healed him from the blindness

The Gospel also shows the great change which happened after the miracle

Bartimaeus, took courage and went to Jesus which changed his life completely

Courage really changes our life 

*6) How about my courage?*

How courageous to follow Jesus, to proclaim his message and to build the kingdom of God? 

Am I courageous to question my own conscience? 

Am I courageous to challenge my own life? 

Am I courageous to say no to evil things in my life? 

Am I courageous to amend my sinful ways of life? 

Am I courageous to say *Yes* to God's plan, just like our blessed mother?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*