We have often heard the story of the blind man in today's Gospel, but we don't associate it with ourselves because we don't think we are blind. That's the advantage that Bartimaeus had over us; he understood and recognized his blindness, thus he knew to ask for his sight to be restored. We, instead, stumble through our lives unaware of how blind we have become. All we need to do is say, "Master, I want to see," and our sight will be returned to us as well. The joy we are missing will be lit up around us.
Today, Rowen was chosen to carry the offering basket tot he altar. Connor asked to help him in case Rowen got too scared. At first Rowen shrugged off the help, but the basket was a bit too awkward for him and the two ended up bringing it forward. Rowen then hugged Connor, in a way that has been referred to as koala-like, all the way back to the pew. Often, their antics in church tend to fill me with anxiety about other people's judgments about my parenting ability, but today all I saw were smiles on the faces of people who watched them pass.
At this moment, the three boys are running around in the yard whooping, growling, and pow-powing. I'm certain that their play brings smiles on the faces of the angels and those who have gone before.