Gospel Reading: Mt 9:27-31
As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him. Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.
DO YOU BELIEVE THAT I CAN DO THIS?
Jesus poses this question to the two blind men, who cry out for mercy, as he enters the house of Peter in Capernaum.
It is not an ordinary question. It challenges the two blind men to believe in his power or, if they do already, to proclaim their faith again in public, for they have just done it when they first cry out. The two readily say, “Yes, Lord,” and Jesus grants them the big favor they are asking. Jesus answers their prayer, matching their faith. The Gospel teaches us the necessity of faith if we want to benefit from the healing power of Jesus. We cannot make Jesus do miracles for us if we do not have faith. Faith is essential. It is more than making a mental assent that he can do everything, but recognizing him as Lord. Many times we are indisposed with our prayers, because something is wrong with our faith. We doubt if God can actually heal our infirmities or help us with our problems, but we just pray anyway. The Gospel reminds us that if we cry out to God with unwavering faith, God will answer us. We should then firm up our faith, “Yes, Lord, I believe you can do it.”
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When you pray, do you believe that God can grant your petitions?
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SOURCE: “366 Days with the Lord,” ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
