My dear parishioners, the principalities and powers of this world march by, indeed they trample over countless persons deemed to be expendable. Two words describe well “little ones” who are left behind in the global dust, even crushed and left for dead. They are abused and forgotten. To them Jesus opens his arms, saying, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.”  [Mt 18:10] 

The abused and forgotten are legion. A “little one” may be defined as a person radically in need of God. They are the blind, the unborn, the newly-born, the young and defenseless, the widow and orphan, the poor and weak, the sick and old. Though scorned by the world’s power brokers, not one of these little ones is forgotten by God. They are invited first -- by our Lord Jesus Christ himself -- to accept the gospel and receive adoption as children of our loving heavenly father. 

Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, ever alert, rose up from his place on the roadside to greet Jesus as he passed by. What does his faithful vigil teach us? Several things, actually. All of us need healing in some way. Jesus will pass by when we least expect it. We know neither the hour or day. And when Jesus does pass by, he expects us, like Bartimaeus, to make a “great effort” to obtain the “very first grace”.  [St. Therese of Lisieux]  Indeed, we are to call out to the Savior with all our strength: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”  [Mk 10:47] 

With heartfelt compassion, Our Lord placed himself in the beggar's hands, asking, “What do you want me to do for you?”  [Mk 10:51]  The blind man, respectfully addressing Jesus as master, implored, “Let me receive my sight.”  [Mk 10:51]  Bartimaeus’ personal and heartfelt request was granted. Jesus healed him.

To pray “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” is to glorify Jesus as the rightful heir to King David. It is to call the Lord messiah (Heb. savior). We glorify God most perfectly by embracing the little ones whom the world despises. What can the abused and forgotten do for us? They help us see how God comes to our rescue. And there is more. The poor alert us to rise up. The “caravan of the kingdom” is passing by. Come along before it is too late! 

The poor know very well what the world thinks. They know that the proud, mighty and rich care little for them. Note that Jesus does not exalt the suffering he intends to take away. He goes to the poor because their poverty has prepared them to accept the gospel. He does not intend that a single one should perish. In Our Lord’s eyes, “little ones” and “neighbor” mean the same thing. Hence, the Great Commandment of loving God and neighbor is discovered in these words, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me”  [Lk 9:48] and “he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”  [Lk 9:48]

True blindness is in the man who shuts his “eyes of faith”. Such affliction is wholly unnatural and without meaning. Nevertheless, whether one's blindness is a matter of the eyes or the soul, Our Lord is drawn to all who suffer. Our Lord restored the beggar's sight. He teaches Bartimaeus that faith and healing are inseparable in the Kingdom of God: “Your faith has made you well.”  [Mk 10:52]  Liberated from frailty, what did Bartimaeus do with his new freedom? He rejoiced in God his savior. Sincerely in the hearts of Jesus and Mary. Your pastor, Reverend Richard Barker.
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