The central message of today’s gospel, both for the disciples and for us is this, reflects Christian Brother Julian McDonald: no matter what troubles, disappointments and tragedies are visited upon us in the course of our lives, we can be sure that God, who loved us into life and who continues to love us day in and day out, will continue to walk beside us, even when those challenges don’t evaporate.

This Sunday’s readings show us that if our discipleship of Jesus is genuine, if we, too, are true to the God whom Jesus and the two widows trusted, we have to be prepared to make some sacrifice, to make the effort to connect with the poor and destitute in our communities, reflects Christian Brother Julian McDonald. We all have something to give, not out of our abundance, but out of what we regard as essential - our gifts, our energy, our qualifications, our time to listen, to visit, to assist. For whom and for what are we prepared to make sacrifices? The answer to that has to find expression in meaningful action that touches people in need.

It’s easy to love the elderly woman who lives across the street. She’s always pleasant and never seems to have a bad word for anybody. But the grumpy man next door is a different kettle of fish, writes Christian Brother Julian McDonald in a reflection on this Sunday’s gospel.

In this Sunday’s gospel, Mark presents Bartimaeus to us as a model of hope and encouragement in our journey of discipleship. This blind man is a reminder to us that all those whom we encounter - the weak, the competent, the welcoming and the flawed - are a potential source of blessing, writes Christian Brother Julian McDonald.

This Sunday’s Gospel invites us to imitate Jesus in spending ourselves in service to others and for the good of all, reflects Christian Brother Julian McDonald. A role in leadership or the title of Brother, Sister or Father does not give us privilege or entitlement to be put on a metaphorical pedestal for the admiration or adulation of others. There ought be no reserved places in churches for people of title and prestige, just as there are no reserved seats in the kingdom of God.