In today’s Holy Gospel, we find the familiar story of Bartimaeus, the blind man. His meeting with Jesus gave Bartimaeus the gift of sight, after being blind, most likely from birth. Can you imagine receiving this gift of sight? I can’t! I value my sight so much, I can’t even think about not having it, much less being given it back after being blind! No doubt, Jesus also gave Bartimaeus “spiritual sight” because the Gospel tells us that after the miracle, he became a disciple of Jesus. This story gives us much to think about. Let’s consider not so much the physical blindness that Bartimaeus experienced, but also the spiritual blindness that ALL of us experience. Each one of us suffers from a very real spiritual blindness. We need the light of the Holy Spirit to enlighten us and rid us of this kind of blindness. Anger, hatred, prejudice, jealousy, etc., are the things that make us spiritually blind and keep us from “seeing God” in one another. These qualities prevent us from seeing the goodness in our neighbors and God’s presence in them. So, let us pray this week to have a clear vision of the qualities that should mark us as Christians. A clear spiritual vision enables us to see the goodness in others, to express our appreciation for their presence in our life, and should cause us to back away from judging others. This week…approach Jesus in prayer with trusting faith, asBartimaeus did, and listen carefully to the voice of Jesus asking you : "What do you want me to do for you?” And then, tell Him what is in your heart. According to a Jewish legend there was once a blind man who was married but had no children. Although his life was hard, he never complained. One day as the blind man was sitting by a river, the prophet Elijah came to him from heaven and said, “Even though your life has been hard, you never complained, and so God will grant you one wish.” The poor man frowned. “Only one wish!" he said. “I’m blind, I’m poor, and I’m childless. How will one wish satisfy all my problems? But give me twenty-four hours and I’ll think up a wish.” He went home and told his wife what had happened. She smiled at him and said, “Eat well and sleep soundly, for I know what you should wish.” He came back the next morning and said to Elijah as he appeared again, “I wish to be able to see my children eat from gold plates.” The wish was granted and the man and his wife lived happily for the rest of their days. Today’s story from the Holy Gospel presents a blind man whose wish was to regain his sight. Jesus restored sight to his eyes AND to his spirit, and Bartimaeus immediately began to follow Jesus as a sighted, witnessing disciple. Question for the Week: How well do you see…really see the goodness in others?