This past Sunday, the Gospel message was about a man named Bartimaeus, a blind man who encounters Jesus as He is making His way through the streets of his town. This is one of my favorite readings, as it so perfectly illustrates how game changing Jesus message was for the people. Under the law, people such as Bartimaeus were presumed to have either committed a sin themselves, or perhaps been the recipient of extended retribution for a sin that perhaps their parents had committed, and so were considered to less pious than others. They were effectively branded by society as being unworthy, regardless of their present deeds. Yet Jesus not only acknowledges Bartimaeus when he calls out to Him but tells Bartimaeus that his faith has healed him. Think about this for a second, all of a sudden Jesus has opened the possibilities wide for any who would ask of His help, there is no judgement, there is no recrimination, the only requirement is belief. I would be willing to bet that most of you that read this note, have heard this Gospel message before, but have you ever really considered what it means for you personally? I run into people all the time, who seem bent on holding onto the past, whether it be perceived failures, misplaced guilt over something that may have actually been beyond their control, old sins that they have confessed but still can’t stop beating themselves up over, etc. Aside from this being self-destructive behavior, it actually demonstrates a lack of beief in the one who has told us all that is required to be healed – FAITH. If we simply ask Him, He will heal each of us. The burden of the old law has been lifted, so that through faith in Him, we can be lightened of our loads, and live in the peace and joy that only Jesus can bring. We’re coming up on the end of this year, what are you waiting for? If you need to go to confession, go. If you need to simply have a conversation with our Lord, do it. Then, walk a bit lighter, smile a bit more, and share your joy with others (perhaps you could share with them the change you experienced). Shalom