Dear friends in Christ
The Readings at Mass this weekend tell us of the reality of what occurs when God passes-by. In the First Reading from Isaiah, after so much waiting and suffering, the Prophet announces the blessings God will bring to His people. Jesus fulfills all of these prophecies, as He walked upon this earth doing good. We see this exemplified in the cure of the blind man, Bartimæus. The cries from the side of the road of this poor suffering man, has formed the basis of one of the most well-known and ancient vocal prayers: The Jesus Prayer—Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me a sinner! The Lord had heard the call of Bartimæus from the start. But He wanted the blind beggar to give Him a graphic example of perseverance in prayer. This is also an example for us of persevering prayer, of never being put-off or discouraged by the apparent silence of Our Lord. All prayer is answered according to what God wishes for us. Sometimes we pray for those things that will be for our eternal well-being; at other times we pray for those things which might indulge our pride or vanity. God knows all, and gives us what we ask, mostly even better, and in ways that we did not expect or anticipate. The prayer of Bartimæus is a great model for us. By using his simple words—Lord, that I may see—God will indeed help us see what it is He wants of me, today and in the times to come. As we approach All Saints Day on Friday (Holyday of Obligation) we ask the Queen of the Saints—Mary—to help us answer Her Son with generosity.
The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has this week published his fourth Encyclical Letter—Dilexit nos—a beautiful catechesis and reflection on devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus; you can read it here:
God bless you all!
Msgr Kevin Hale