Everyone seems to be publishing a book these days! Cooks, broadcasters, actors, politicians, comedians…they all seem to have no trouble in producing a good read whilst I still struggle to know how to start my epic effort. Over the years I have read many a good book, and I have tried to work out what makes a good read. Some stories are enjoyed from a safe distance. We follow the lives of others without the trauma of getting emotionally involved. We are able to put the book down, walk away, and then pick up the story where it had been left off. Other stories grip us and draw us into the plot. We find it difficult to put the book down. We binge read, and finish the book feeling exhausted. How do you read this week’s gospel story – the encounter between Jesus and Bartimaeus? 

I started reading this week’s Bible Reading, keeping the characters at arm’s length. In a dispassionate way, I tried to understand what was going on. I focused on the facts. But the story is full of drama, and on second reading I found myself being drawn into the scene. I listened in on the banter between people in the crowd. I could almost smell the dust and the sweat. I stood closer to Jesus as he engaged with Bartimaeus, and I sensed the emotions that were at play. In this way, I was moved by the story. But then, something extraordinary happened. I was no longer an observer; instead I was a participant. I suddenly realized that Jesus was addressing me. He asked, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ In the original context, it was a strange question to ask a blind man. Surely his need was obvious. But now, as Jesus directed his question at me, I found myself clumsily falling over my words. I had no well-rehearsed prayer. I finally made a request, “Lord, don’t let me get in Bartimaeus’ way”. It’s funny what we blurt out when put on the spot. 

The Gospels are extraordinary books. We can study them, engage with them, meditate on them, and then in some special moments instead of addressing the text, the text addresses us.