When Bartimaeus calls out "Jesus, son of David, have mercy!", he understands Jesus better than the disciples. He then asks Jesus to help him see. He understands why he is close to Jesus, even if the disciples sometimes don't. In this Lent, we need to ask what brings us into discipleship? Is it a need for glory and security? Or is it a need to learn from Christ's example and build the sovereign realm of God? In a world where democracy is under assault in many states, including Iowa, we ask how we might go beyond words into actions that help people's voices be heard.