There is a continuation with the theme of discipleship with the encounter with Bartimaeus in the Gospel reading today.   This interaction can continue to teach us much more what it means and not means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  First, it is very interesting Bartimeus is identified as blind man.  How many people are still spiritually blind? To be a disciple is to be enlightened by Christ. No longer live in the shadows of death, but in his splendor. It is powerful that during the period of the [now] OCIA, there is a period of purification and enlightenment right before the catechumens receive their sacraments.   Second, the name of Bartimeus, means son of Timaeus, “bar” means “son” so for the gospel writer to add that he was the son of Timaeus on the next words is redundant. Redundancy aside, it is interesting that Bartimeus is given an association with his father by clearly naming the father in the account.  What is the purpose? Perhaps just to remind that it is not sufficient to be disciple of Jesus Christ just because the person comes from a prominent family name.  Many times, it has been shown that one generation loses the faith of the previous one. It is not enough to just be a [last name included here] to be a disciple.   It is personal adherence to faith. Not just because my father was Catholic, so I am also Catholic out of tradition.  It’s about taking responsibility for faith. It’s about creating a future for self in the life of the Church.  It is quite interesting that in the part of the baptism rite where there are the Renewal of Baptismal promises, every response starts with “I.”  At the same time the parents are passing the faith to their children.  The point being that sometimes people will come from a family of faith and that is great, it helps them to be disciples quicker, but at other times they must forge their own destiny [as disciples]in the church.  Also, to note that just because a parent was committed to their faith it does not necessarily mean the child will as well. It also means not to hide or excuse inaction based on the faith of the previous generation. “My father served at the church for so many years, that should do it for me.”  A disciple acknowledges the past faith yet takes ownership of their present personal faith. Third, the gospel reading mentions Bartimeus sat by the roadside.  Bartimeus had grown accustomed to sitting there, it was his day job. It was expected of him. It was the same routine day after day.  This also happens with many people who claim to be disciples. They stay put in their area of comfort.  “This is the ministry that I have done for many years, and I’m not moving to another one.”  One can become comfortable in the life of the Church with its ministries. Another example when people sit at the same pew all the time, and God forbid someone else is sitting in “our spot.” Later in the Gospel it shows that Bartimeus sprang up and came to Jesus.  This is the action of the disciple. Not becoming too comfortable but ready to heed to call of Jesus to lead in whatever direction in life.  It is time to cast the cloak aside and to follow Jesus wherever He leads.  Bartimeus shows us to get out of the comfort zone, to stop coasting on another person’s faith, and take ownership by heeding the call to become a disciple who follows Jesus on the way.