Below Sea Level

200 Words: ‘Son of David, Jesus, have pity of me.’

Just outside of Jericho, Jesus heals Bartimaeus:

Immediately his sight returned and he followed Jesus on the way (Mark 10).

Jericho is the oldest city in the world. It dates back to at least 8,000 BC.

Jericho is the lowest city in the world. It is 258 metres below sea level.

One thousand years before Christ, the Israelites marched around the city walls with the Ark of the Covenant and on the seventh day brought down the walls:

See it as a ‘liturgical march’ with the power of God the Creator making a statement.

The healing of sight begins with Bartimaeus in full flight:

Hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout and to say, ‘Son of David, Jesus, have pity of me.’

In Eastern Spirituality this is known as a mantra prayer. When suited with one’s breathing it becomes a powerful way of living in God’s presence:

Breathing in, we say, ‘Son of David, Jesus,’ and then upon breathing out we say, ‘have pity of me.’

Anywhere and anytime we can live in the presence of God with such pithy prayers and helpful practices:

Our spiritual tradition is such a wonderful gift.

Amen.