This Gospel story about the blind beggar Bartimaeus is a fine example of the way in which one type of story may contain other important levels of meaning. The story is a miracle story: Jesus grants the blind man's request that he may see and miraculously restore his sight.

In doing so, Jesus affirms the man's faith, so that the story becomes a statement about the need for faith and trust.

On another level, the story serves as a very revealing “vocation” story.

Jesus tells the crowd to call Bartimaeus over. Even though Jesus thus involves the crowd, the call comes from Jesus himself, as the crowds acknowledge: “Have courage, get up he is calling you.” Every vocation comes from Jesus, and gives the courage which is needed to answer it. Every vocation brings with it a healing power. Bartimaeus threw aside his cloak, jumped up and came to Jesus. We immediately sense his great alacrity and joy, the sense of having his plea answered. We, too, should respond to every call from Jesus with alacrity and joy, knowing that such a response will bring us to Jesus.

Finally, the story teaches the importance of perseverance in prayer, as Bartimaeus continued to call out to Jesus in spite of the crowd telling him to be quiet.