The good news of Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, is given to us in the gospels. In living the gospel message, Saint Francis of Assisi greeted all with, “The Lord grant you peace.” Peace and good are treasures of a life well-lived. In writing this book of meditations, it is my hope and my desire to share with others an image of the Word of God reflected through the Franciscan spirituality of peace and good. If this little work of mine brings peace and good to just one person, I will consider my mission successful.

When Jesus asked Bartimaeus, the blind beggar at the gate of Jericho, what he wanted, he replied, “To see again.” How had Bartimaeus been struck blind? Why did Matthew, Mark and Luke tell the story of Bartimaeus in their gospels? And why is not only Bartimaeus named but also his father, Timaeus? Why was Bartimaeus known by the early Christians and what was his role with the Apostles? This story of Bartimaeus, the Blind Beggar of Jericho, answers those questions and more in this action-filled Christian novel of conversion to Jesus, and his service to the apostles.