According to Your Faith

Friday, 6 December 2024. Readings: Isaiah 29:17-24, Ps. 27:1,4,13-14, Matthew 9:27-31

“Jesus said to them, ‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?’ They said to him, ‘Yes, Lord.’ Then he touched their eyes, saying, ‘According to your faith, be it done to you.’ And their eyes were opened.” (Matthew 9:28-30)

Isaiah speaks of a time when the deaf shall hear, and out of their gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see. This prophecy of Isaiah is concretely fulfilled in our Gospel passage. Interestingly, all the prophecies concerning Jesus Christ were eventually fulfilled in his life, including those about his death.

- We can place all our trust in Jesus because He is truly the Son of God, the Saviour of the World, the One who was born to take away our blindness, cure our sickness, feed our hungry stomachs, and protect us from oppressors and danger.

- Two blind men cried out loudly to Jesus, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” Jesus did not respond to them until he entered a house, and the two men followed him into the house. Even when it seems God doesn’t care about your predicament, do not stop praying, calling out to Jesus, visiting the Blessed Sacrament, or reading your Bible. Pray until something happens, and keep praying after something happens. (Cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18).

- Be careful; not everything that glitters is gold, and not every building on which “church” is written is a church. Be careful of those who claim to offer quicker solutions to your problems. Avoid getting into the devil’s den because God has not solved your problem. The devil has nothing to offer; whatever you take from him, be ready to pay a more valuable price. If God hasn’t answered you yet, He knows why.

- Jesus asked the two blind men: “Do you believe I can do this?” Whenever you go on your knees to pray, picture God asking you this question, and please answer it sincerely. Was this question necessary? Jesus needed to ask them because the truth is that not all those who cry and shout in prayer have faith. Not all those who say “Lord, Lord” will enter God’s kingdom.

- The two blind men answered yes. Jesus said, “According to your faith, let it be done to you.” This is huge. Jesus seems to place their healing on the power of their faith. Their eyes would have remained closed if they had lied about their faith.

- According to your faith. If your faith is weak, you can’t get much. This is a principle of life. You can’t achieve anything without first believing it is possible. Today is “the tomorrow” you expected yesterday, and your tomorrow is exactly what you believe today. You cannot achieve anything physically without first achieving it in your mind.

- Life is hard, and nothing good comes easily. Bad things happen without warning. Life will always give you reasons to complain. Problems are never exhausted. But how are we to stay alive and win? Faith! Believe and keep believing. Prayer works. God cares.

- Jesus warned them not to publicise this healing, but the two blind men could not keep it to themselves. Jesus wants us to love him, worship him as God and not approach him like a magician. Faith is not just about receiving from God but also about remaining steadfast when things are rough.

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, deepen our faith in you. May our prayers never be in vain. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Friday of the 1st week of Advent Liturgical Colour: Violet. Bible Study: Isaiah 29:17-24, Ps. 27:1,4,13-14, Matthew 9:27-31).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu