***
Gospel: Luke 18: 35-43
As Jesus approached Jericho
a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging,
and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening.
They told him,
“Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”
He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”
The people walking in front rebuked him,
telling him to be silent,
but he kept calling out all the more,
“Son of David, have pity on me!”
Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him;
and when he came near, Jesus asked him,
“What do you want me to do for you?”
He replied, “Lord, please let me see.”
Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.”
He immediately received his sight
and followed him, giving glory to God.
When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.
The Gospel of the Lord.
***
***
“Have sight; your faith has saved you.”
I imagine the Lord saying the first part of that sentence – have sight – with ease, almost in a dismissive way. The same way a wealthy man might toss a beggar a coin. To Jesus, granting the gift of physical sight is nothing compared to the power he bears.
Elsewhere in the Gospels, he tells us he casts out demons by, “the finger of God.”
***
It’s the second part of that sentence – your faith has saved you – that should capture our attention. This is what draws Jesus. Throughout the Gospels, the Lord laments how people, even entire towns, have little to no faith in Him.
As Saint Matthew accounts, “He began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented.”
“Woe to you!” he says.
Even the disciples are rebuked for their doubt.
While enduring a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee, the disciples awaken a sleeping Jesus, fearing they are going to drown. Irritated, the Lord rubs his eyes and rebukes them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?”
Then he calms the wind and the waves.
***
In my own ministry, I’ve witnessed countless miracles similar to what happens in the Gospels. I’ve seen cancer healed, brain damage removed, body aches and pains disappear.
Yet the change in a person’s physical diagnosis does not automatically lead to faith; the human heart can be incredibly resistant to change.
This is why the blind man in today’s Gospel is praiseworthy. He’s not only healed physically; his faith also inspires him to get up and “follow” Jesus.
To “follow” Jesus not only means to move your feet, but also to open your heart.
***
May we do the same today.
***
***
Image credits: (1) Growing Christians Ministries (2) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, YouTube (3) LifeWire