The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy. — Psalm 126:3

Mass Readings: Jeremiah 31:7-9 / Hebrews 5:1-6 / Mark 10:46-52 

Image is Nothing 

I love Bartimaeus in today’s Gospel. When the crowd tries to shut him up after he calls out to Jesus, he cries all the louder, not just because of his pressing desire to receive sight, but because he realizes that he has nothing to lose. I love the way he throws off his cloak to come to Jesus as if to say, “I don’t care what all of you think of me; I want what Jesus has for me.” 

Oh, if I could be so free from the constraints of public image: to gain the humility and audacity to approach Jesus without a second thought to what others might think! And if I’m able to do this, my most pressing prayers might be answered as directly as those of Bartimaeus. 

Prayer: Jesus, help me be bold in my belief.