“Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way” (Mk. 10:52).
The Gospel writer Mark loves the word “immediately.” Over and over again, he describes things happening “immediately.” The Spirit drives Jesus out into the desert “immediately” after his baptism (Mk. 1:12). Jesus calls Simon and his brother Andrew from their jobs as fishermen, and “immediately” they follow him (Mk. 1:18). As soon as Jesus sees James and John, the sons of Zebedee, mending their nets, he “immediately” calls them (Mk. 1:20). A leper begs Jesus to heal him, and as soon as Jesus touches the man he is healed “immediately” (Mk. 1:42).
That’s just the first chapter of Mark’s Gospel, and we could multiply examples throughout the Gospel. It’s the way St. Mark tells the story of Jesus and his ministry: with a sense of urgency, both in Jesus’ actions and those of others. Jesus moves quickly, and people respond to him without too much holding back. Even his opponents act “immediately” in response to Jesus. No sooner has he healed the man with the withered hand than the Pharisees “immediately” began to conspire to kill him (Mk. 3:6). When Judas shows up to betray him in the garden of Gethsemane, it happens “immediately” (Mk. 14:43).
Our Gospel reading is a case in point. Blind Bartimaeus calls on Jesus to have mercy on him; he approaches and presses his case. Jesus asks him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, ‘My teacher, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has made you well’” (Mk. 10:51-52). Then comes the kicker, “Immediately he regained his sight” (Mk. 10:52). Jesus acts to heal him, and the man regains his sight “immediately.”
There’s a sense of urgency here, in what Jesus has done, to heal a blind beggar. It’s important to note, however, what “immediately” shouldn’t be. It’s shouldn’t be activity for the sake of activity. Ask people, in this day and age, how things are going, and they are likely to tell you how busy they are. For some reason, we’re slightly embarrassed if we are not overwhelmed by activity: going here and there “immediately.”
In our culture, we also value bold, decisive action. We certainly want our politicians and other leaders to “do something” when there’s a problem, and to do it (yes) immediately! Of course, “doing something” may actually create further unanticipated problems. Maybe Judas and the Pharisees, in their immediate action in plotting against Jesus, are a negative example to us. Whatever “immediately” means, it shouldn’t be hasty or rash.
“Immediately,” in the Gospel sense, is urgent and purposeful: salvific, giving life and health. Jesus’ action restores what has been lost and brings peace and well-being. It takes place within the context of faith, which is trust in God. It is confident action, taking place at the right time for the sake of the right thing. That’s how God works, and that is how Jesus carries forward his ministry: even at Gethsemane, where he prays, “not my will, but thine be done” (Mk. 14:36).
There’s one more thing that happens “immediately” in our reading today: did you notice? Not only does Jesus heal Bartimaeus “immediately” but he follows Jesus “immediately.” One action follows “immediately” after the other. Faith is trust in God, but it includes answering the call. Jesus acts, but faithful action by Bartimaeus is part of what happens. It’s the same for us. God’s action needs to spark our own “immediate” response. That is: urgent and purposeful; confident action in accord with the will of God.
Note how St. Mark describes Bartimaeus’ answering the call. He “followed him on the way” (Mk. 10:52). “The Way” was what the early Christians called their movement (Acts 9:2, etc.), following the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Bartimaeus was a trailblazer, as he followed Jesus Christ in the way of discipleship. Mark is giving us a little glimpse into a future that Bartimaeus could not have known as he joined Jesus on the road to Jerusalem.
Our baptismal candidate and our confirmands are taking a new step on that same path today. Our candidate is taking solemn vows and receiving the sacrament of new birth by water and the Holy Spirit. Our confirmands are re-affirming their baptismal vows and receiving the laying on of hands by the bishop. The Spirit is present as we celebrate these rites; not only present, but also effectively present. Grace is given to all of them today for following Jesus on the way. All of us who are here have the opportunity to re-affirm our own faith and to be inspired anew. May God make all of us urgent and purposeful, confident and faithful, as we answer the call, and follow Jesus immediately on the way.