November 18, 2025. Luke 19:1-10. Quoting from "Friends of God" Point 196 by St. Josemaría Escrivá in escriva.org/en/amigos-de-dios/196 and from the Homily of Pope Francis in Poland on July 31, 2016 in vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2016/documents/papa-francesco_20160731_omelia-polonia-gmg.html. Also from "The Way" (Author's Preface) in escriva.org/en/camino/intro/authors-preface. Priest's Note: Today Luke 19 tells us about another man, also in Jerico, but on the opposite side of the social spectrum. Not a poor blind man without power, money or standing. But a publican, a tax collector who worked for the Roman occupation, and his named is Zacchaeus. Both could not see Jesus: Bartimaeus because he was blind, Zacchaeus because he was too short. To be able to see Jesus he took initiative. This is an analogous to taking our formation more seriously. Meditation with Fr. Eric Nicolai, guest priest, recorded in Toronto on "In Your Presence" on Spotify. Image: "The Calling of Saint Matthew" by Carel Wautier in the National Trust Osterley Park. Isleworth (Wikimedia Commons). Music: Handel Rinaldo, Aria Lascia che io pianga, adapted for guitar by Bert Alink.