B: 30th Sun of OrdTime (28 Oct 2018) - RECOVERING THEIR NAMES - Mk 10:46-52

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet” (cf. William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet).

Quite surprising in this Markan episode is that the blind man healed is named where in the Matthean and Lukan narratives of the same material he is anonymous (cf. Mt 20:29-34; Lk 18:35-43). His name is not only mentioned but is intentionally emphasized as it is doubled: “Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus” (Mk 10:46).

The name Bartimaeus is to be understood as a combination of the Aramaic word “bar” which means “son [of]” and a word with the root “tima-”. Some say it is derived from the Aramaic word “tim’ai” which means “unclean”, making Bartimaeus as the “son of the unclean”. Others see the Greek verb “timaō” instead which lexicon defines as “to set a price on; estimate, value” or “to show high regard for; honor, revere” (cf. BDAG); Bartimaeus may be roughly translated hence as “son of honor” or “honorable son”.

What is definite behind the mysterious name is the idea that in the eyes of the public, this biblical character’s dignity has been shattered either as a result of genealogically descending from an unclean family (“tim’ai”) or on account of his failure to keep up to his family’s honor (“timaō”). As a matter of fact, as much as his name is doubled, his destitution is tripled: he is blind, he is a beggar, and he stays at the roadside with only a cloak as his prized possession (vv. 46; 50). He indeed lost his face, name, and pride as the crowd easily rebuked him to be silent in v. 38.

Yet, Jesus had something more in mind… he desired to recover Bartimaeus’ lost esteem. Instead of healing him immediately, Jesus decided to strike a conversation with him, asking his disciples to call him first (v. 49). Having perceived this rare appreciation of his dignity, Bartimaeus quickly jumped, leaving his cloak behind, and went straight to Jesus (v. 50). Jesus, in turn, healed him while telling him to leave for his faith has already made him well. However, instead of departing from Jesus, he followed Jesus, not even returning to get his cloak back (v. 52). He has just gained his salvation.

What we see in this sequence is the example of Jesus in rendering to others their value as persons. It is not in doing good alone that we fulfill our Christian duty, but it should always be coupled by giving importance to a person’s importance. In concrete, a true Christian should not be content that an act of kindness or charity is done to the needy, but equally vital is performing simple acts that uplift their spirits like asking their names, inquiring about their family, wasting time at their place, and hearing their ordinary trivial stories. These little gestures sound very petty for us, but for those whose self-worth has long been shattered, they do really mean a lot for their honor is slowly recovered. How much more will be a determined sustainable fight for their human rights and economic upliftment? It will mean their salvation.

To complement with the meaning of Bartimaeus, I would like to suggest reading also the name forward in the Latin. There are two Latin words closest to the name Timaeus: timeo (“I fear”) and temeo (“I boldly take chances” as in the cognate “temerity”). Reading it both ways reflect the actions of Bartimaeus in the narrative: he disregarded his fear despite the suppression of the crowd, taking boldly his chances to meet Jesus, shouting out the name of Jesus repeatedly (vv. 47-48). Similarly, the poor and the marginalized are mandated to be courageous in their faith like Bartimaeus. However, in real life, they are not. How can they when the socio-political structures dampen their spirits away?

Thus, they need more Jesuses, which in the Hebrew is “yehosua” or “God will save”, and we are called to act as one. Indeed, giving them back their lost dignity is the first step toward any form of salvation.

- Rex Fortes, CM