Increase our Faith

Today’s Gospel Text:  And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." 28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, "See that no one knows it." 31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district. Matt 9:27-31

Reflection:  The contrast of life teaches us the beauty therein. 

There are situations in life when we see a person from the outside and underestimate the capacity of the person and then when we see the same person in action, doing well, we are overtly surprised and may even become ashamed of ourselves.

Life has innumerable examples, fortunately we see sometimes the performance of a handicapped and we are able to learn much from them, but not before we have passed our judgment.

Likewise we may see school dropouts and those whom we considered as stupid idiots or a small child excelling in things which will put an adult to shame. 

Take for example the moral acumen of a child, who cares to observe it and learn from the child who manifests uprightness in their own ways and thus give up on addictives.

And what if we see a child manifesting devout faith in God and expressing a wisdom that is divine in all its dimensions, how would we react? Are we spurred on by the contagious nature of such faith to pick from the child and walk in God’s ways?

How blessed is the man who recognizes and learns from the weak the strongest truth of life, with God’s help and wisdom to help him.

In the gospel passage we have the examples of the two blind men who follow Jesus with such perseverance and faith. What is more when questioned by Jesus thus; “"Do you believe that I am able to do this?” they reply in the affirmative with a thumping YES.

I do not know how many among the crowd that followed Jesus had such faith and even if they did not, then how many among them went home with a deep conviction to learn from the incident so as to have such faith like that of the weak handicapped blind man. 

It doesn't matter, what that crowd did at that moment but what matters is that now our savior and God is revealed and he has spoken that we cannot be saved unless we exhibit such faith in him (cfr. Heb. 11:6) as that of the blind. And if you have to call it blind faith then know for sure that such is the faith that pleases God to save us.

It is so because saving is not our action, we cannot save ourselves but it is God’s action in us and he only can  work in us to an extent that we trust him and thus allow him to work in our lives.

Prayer:  Lord, "Increase our faith!"  Luke 17:5

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As you See

Today’s Gospel Text:  As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; 36 and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." 38 And he cried, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 40 And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, 41 "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me receive my sight." 42 And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." 43 And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God. Luke 18:35-43

Reflection: Who was really blind; the blind man or the people that followed Jesus?

What a tragedy that people who think that they see and plan our formation and programmes, give instructions or advice  can be blind, so too people who organize seminars and consultations could be blind to the truth of what God has revealed and ultimately end up forming their own religion in the midst of religion.

Here was a blind man who with a mere answer from the crowd to his enquiry recognizes the extraordinary Jesus and his power to heal and begins to shout: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

The fact that the people rebuked him to be silent is a clear indication that they felt that his shouting was worthless.

They reprimand him but he shouts all the more loudly.

Rest is history; what made him well was his faith and what was proved in the bargain was that the people around Jesus who rebuked him to be silent were actually blind, while the blind man had eyes to see Jesus just the way one is supposed see him.

This is the point of difference between the majority and the minority few; the majority see through rational thought and much deliberation and thinking and support one another in walking in blindness.

The minority few know their limitations in understanding the mysteries of life and death and recognizes a power higher than them and the need to search him in righteousness and faith. 

Blessed is the man who recognizes the saving action of God accomplished through Jesus. 

Prayer: Lord, open my eyes and take away the scales of blindness that I may see just the way you want me to see. 

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us