Wednesday Witness: All the Time in the World

This column is the first in a new, weekly series on what the Lord is doing in my heart, specifically encouraging me to simplify my own life in order practice the virtue of charity and the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy more and more. Come back each Wednesday to read the latest!

In last Sunday’s gospel, blind Bartimaeus cries out to Jesus, who is passing by with His disciples and a large crowd. The detail that stuck out to me is that, when this beggar calls to the Lord, “Son of David, have pity on me!” many in the crowd rebuke him. These are people like you and me, who have found in Jesus someone we want to follow, maybe even dedicate our lives to. They have heard the Lord preach, seen Him work miracles, and shared in His ministry…and instead of lifting this poor man up and inviting him in, they tell him to pipe down, intending to pass him by.

But not Jesus. He has all the time in the world. He tells His followers to bring the man they have just rejected to Him. Bartimaeus doesn’t need their help, but springs to his feet—a bold move for a blind man—and rushes to the Lord. Jesus asks him what he wants, and he doesn’t ask for food or spare change. He asks BIG: “Master, I want to see.” 

And the Lord delivers even bigger: Not only does Bartimaeus see, but Jesus tells him, “Your faith has saved you.” God’s plan for Bartimaeus is bigger and more generous than even he can dream.

I was on retreat a few weeks ago, providentially, over the Feast of St. Vincent de Paul. One of the many issues I hoped to speak to the Lord about was my personal involvement with our local conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. I was conflicted: feeling called to do more with the poor in our community and feeling pressed for time, overwhelmed by too many projects, priorities, and personal desires.

On retreat, however, I found myself on God’s time, and He has all the time in the world. Because I had extra time for prayer, I prayed the Office of the Readings, which included a letter of St. Vincent de Paul’s. The letter insisted that the poor person at your door ought never to be neglected, even in favor of prayer—that Charity is the mistress of all rules, and all rules should lead to her.

In addition, as the hours and days of my retreat stretched on, the Lord reminded me again that, although I worry a great deal about “my” time, all time belongs to Him, to use as He sees fit. He gives me what time I have, and I cannot save it, only spend it or waste it.
So much of my time is wasted. So much is spent dwelling on past mistakes or future anxieties. And, like the disciples in the gospel last weekend, I have a strong desire not to be interrupted. The Lord pours Himself out for all humanity, and I want to be left alone to “follow Him” in peace.

So I’m trying something new. Beginning with my wife and our remaining child at home, our neighbors, our friends and relatives, and those in need in this community, I am trying to spend the time it takes to love and serve them as He loves and serves me. 
I fail daily. But He assures me that if I persist, the rewards are eternal and worth every moment.