Recently, there have been several instances of spectacular fraud reported in the news.  People all over the nation have been contacted by individuals claiming to be law enforcement officers or bank officials.  The victims of the fraud were told that their personal information had been compromised and their help was needed to catch the identity thieves.   

The victims were then instructed to begin to withdraw money from their savings or investment accounts, convert the money into crypto currency or precious metals, and place it in the “safe keeping” of the putative investigator. 

Apparently, the perpetrators of this fraud are very skilled and persuasive; they have been able to scam tens of millions of dollars from unsuspecting victims.  There is, of course, an easy way to avoid being the victim of such fraud. 

There is an old saying, “Seeing is believing.”  A persuasive story about an investigation into identity theft can certainly instill enough fear to motivate one to take action, but one would want some concrete, documented proof before entrusting sums of money to a voice over the phone.  

Admittedly, it’s easy to play “armchair quarterback” with regard to these lamentable crimes, but I think the victims of these crimes could have saved themselves a great deal of heartache by requiring proof of identification from the fraudsters.  In this case, “seeing is believing” requires something as simple as a legitimate police identification card or an in-person meeting at one’s bank or investment company. 

With regard to objective truth – all objective truth – seeing is believing.  Anyone can make any claim they wish to do, but no one should be believed unless they show concrete proof of their claim.   

The reason that these frauds are so lucrative to criminals is that they exploit a truth about relationships.  Interpersonal relationships work in a way very different from objective transactions.  In interpersonal relationships, believing is seeing.  In marriage, family relationships, and friendships, one is able to see the truth of another person by granting them one’s trust and being trusted in turn.   

The perpetrators of fraud are skilled at gaining the trust of their intended victims; it is important to keep in mind, then, that authentic trust is built only over a long period of time.  In today’s Gospel reading, Mark narrates a legitimate example of the interpersonal truth that believing is seeing. 

Blind Bartimaeus clearly seems to have known about Jesus long before Jesus passed by on the road.  Bartimaeus addressed Jesus as the “son of David” and asked for Jesus’ mercy. (Mk 10:47-48)  The request demonstrated a familiarity with both Jesus’ reputation as a faith healer and his messianic preaching.  Even before meeting Jesus in-person, the blind man was able to trust in Jesus’ preaching and reputation.  Because of his trust, the blind man was able to see the truth about Jesus. 

In Mark’s Gospel, blind Bartimaeus serves as a literary foil to emphasize the disciples’ lack of faith.  The disciples had spent a great deal of time with Jesus; they had heard his preaching and had been invited to trust in Jesus, but they failed to do so.  The disciples related to Jesus from the point of view of “seeing is believing.”  All the disciples were just as spiritually blind and self-serving as James and John, who wanted to be rewarded for their loyalty to Jesus. 

In Mark’s Gospel, many of those who see Jesus physically are unable to see his identity; only those who believe are free of spiritual blindness.  This passage of the Gospel offers a simple lesson about trust that is applicable to every aspect of life. 

With regard to objects in the world, seeing is believing.  Proof of fraud or honesty is legitimate when it is observable.  In the absence of confirmed evidence, belief is a gamble, at best. 

With regard to relationships, on the other hand, believing is seeing.  Proof in this realm of life is as intangible as relationships themselves.  The proof of a relationship is trust.  This is evident in both the sad victims of fraud trusted and Bartimaeus.  The fraud victims trusted criminals as a result of fear, while Bartimaeus trusted Jesus as a result of hope.   

The ease with which trust can be misplaced or misused explains not only those recent cases of fraud but the rather uneven nature of religious practice today.  Some place their trust where it is not warranted, and misplaced trust never produces anything good. 

Bartimaeus is an example for all to follow.  He learned of Jesus’ healing ministry, and he learned of Jesus’ teaching.  When Jesus approached, Bartimaeus was prepared to place his trust where it would not be betrayed. 

In religious matters, believing is seeing.  If you do not yet see Jesus clearly, it might be the case that you have yet to place your undivided trust in him.  If you do see Jesus clearly, that is, as the savior sent by God to raise all the world from its fallenness then, Jesus’ words are addressed to you: “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” (Mk 10:52)