And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed Him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us. And when He was come into the house, the blind men came to Him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto Him, Yea, Lord. Then touched He their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. But they, when they were departed, spread abroad His fame in all that country. As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a dumb man possessed with a devil. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils. And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Any good that we do in life is due to God, the Creator and Giver of life. God gives the life we have and any talents and gifts we may have. The choices and decisions we make in life determine if we live in ways pleasing to the Lord God. Today’s Gospel makes us aware of the healing power of God and Jesus’ interest in preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom.
We determine the degree of personal interest we have in Divine healing and God’s Kingdom. We all are afflicted in some way and at some time with spiritual blindness. We all suffer at times with the being filled with the devil and being unable to speak as we would like.
Jesus healed the two blind men in the current Gospel. The blind men’s strong faith was an important part in the healing. Jesus recognized the strong faith and the men were healed.
Jesus expelled the devil from the man unable to speak. Because of Jesus’ action, the voiceless man gained his voice. Today’s Gospel verifies once again that with God, all things are possible
Let us look deep within ourselves and determine if we are giving God the credit due for any good that we do and have done. Let us look deep within and assess if we are truly grateful to God for gifts and talents we have received from God. Today’s Gospel inspires us to look at the strength of our faith and the degree of personal interest we have in being healed of our spiritual infirmities. Today’s Gospel challenges us to evaluate our personal interest in God’s Kingdom. God’s Holy Church consistently teaches about God’s healing power. The Kingdom of God is proclaimed throughout the year. We determine the degree of interest we show in God’s healing power and God’s Kingdom.
If we are honest and confess our personal shortcomings, we have the opportunity to repent. We have the opportunity to increase our gratitude toward God. God will be receptive to our expressions of gratitude if we are sincere. Do we take time to thank God each time following recovery from an illness or surgery? Do we show gratitude to God continually for talents and gifts received during the course of life? Are we always thankful for prayers answered? Are we at peace deep within our hearts, minds and souls in our relationship with the Lord God?
God’s Holy Church offers the pathway to personal and lasting peace. God will cure us of any existing spiritual blindness. God will enable us to vocalize the necessary truth when we are at a loss for words and unable to speak. The hunger in the soul is satisfied by experiencing the Lord God in Church. Restlessness in the heart, mind and soul becomes settled when experiencing God in Church. Joy is achieved through adhering to the teachings of the Lord as proclaimed in God’s Holy Church.
Societal whirlwinds abound in today’s world. These whirlwinds swirl about in communities. They affect neighborhoods and families. Peace exists and is promulgated within the walls of God’s Holy Church. The Church is the safe harbor for believers looking for rest in their lives. The Church provides nourishment for daily life and all of life. Broken hearts, afflicted minds and souls experience healing in God’s Holy Church.
Individuals locked in prison cells will find hope in the Holy Gospel. Men, women and children in mental health facilities can draw hope from today’s Gospel. Individuals dealing with severe illness can be certain of Jesus’ power to heal. Healing takes many different forms. Physical healing is one form of interest and desired result. Healing of the heart, mind and soul may surmount actual physical healing of the body.
The Lord determines the action to be taken in regard to a person’s faith. Each person’s choices reflect the personal depth of faith and the interest in the Lord God. The Kingdom of God is not always the primary interest of every person. Believers have the opportunity to redirect the course of personal life at all times. Jesus welcomes believers sincerely seeking the Kingdom of God. The Church offers the instruction and nourishment for the journey to the Kingdom. The remaining days of earthly life need not be hindered by spiritual blindness. Jesus will open the eyes of believers seeking to know the pathway to the Kingdom and to follow it.
Personal lips need not be sealed for the remaining days of life. God gives each believer the opportunity to speak words of truth at all times and in all required circumstances.
Thank God for the present Gospel. Thank God for the Church protecting, proclaiming and preserving the Gospel through the centuries. Thank God for the martyrs, saints and faithful serving as inspiring examples of the Gospel in their lives.
