2026 Lenten Retreat
TALK SEVEN
Sunday, March 22, 2026
Fr. Rogério Alves Gomes, a Brazilian priest, currently resides in Rome at the Pontificio Collegio Pio Brasiliano. He is pursuing a Ph.D. in Biblical Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University. In addition to his doctoral studies, he serves as the Academic Director of the St. Barnabas Pastoral Education and Training Center in Cyprus, where he oversees the Biblical-Theological Formation School for Lay People. He holds a Master’s degree in Exegesis, Biblical Sciences, and Archaeology from the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum in Jerusalem.
The Blind Bartimaeus Mark 10:46-52 parallel Luke 18:35-43
Mark
They came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging.
On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.”
And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.”
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, he is calling you.”
He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.
Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.”
Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.
Luke
Now as he approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging,
and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening.
They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”
The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!”
Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him,
“What do you want me to do for you?” He replied, “Lord, please let me see.”
Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.”
He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.
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