Let It Be Done

Today’s gospel initially struck a funny bone in me like, two blind guys walked into a bar…but then my heartstrings were tugged and the beauty of not one, but two blind men washed over me. They had each other and their collective faith gave them the boldness, courage, and perseverance to find Jesus, follow Him, and cry out to Him, “Son of David, have pity on US!” They are an “us” and that is what hit me. We need each other to help us find Christ, we need each other to bring our broken places to Jesus, we need each other to walk alongside in the darkness, and we need each other to cry out to Jesus because two voices are louder than one. I can just picture the scene of Jesus noticing that these two blind men walked each other into His presence, and how moved Jesus must have been at the sight. Were they arm and arm? Holding hands? Reaching out in front of them? Each one of these postures is a lovely display of worship and so Jesus asks them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” He immediately engaged their faith because our faith is the fertile soil for healing. He saw their worship, their coming in the dark to Him, their friendship, and their desire, so He already knew their faith was strong, but He asked them so that they could declare it, “Yes, Lord.” This was their “fiat” which is one of the words in the season of Advent that always stirs my heart. 

Jesus “touched their eyes and said, ‘Let it be done for you according to your faith.’ And their eyes were opened.” Their faith believed that their eyes would be opened and they were. Their “Yes, Lord,” declared it and so it was. Declarations rooted in a deep faith, fostered and strengthened by trusted companions, given to Jesus in worship and thanksgiving is the path toward healing and holiness. Two blind guys teach us how to see today. Two blind guys have better vision than I do sometimes. Two blind guys navigated their way into the presence of Jesus together. So what does my faith declare today? Who are my companions on the journey? How do I reach out in worship? Do I believe that Jesus can do this? “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” It is well with my soul. 

Reading 1 IS 29:17-24

Thus says the Lord GOD:
But a very little while,
and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard,
and the orchard be regarded as a forest!
On that day the deaf shall hear
the words of a book;
And out of gloom and darkness,
the eyes of the blind shall see.
The lowly will ever find joy in the LORD,
and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
For the tyrant will be no more
and the arrogant will have gone;
All who are alert to do evil will be cut off,
those whose mere word condemns a man,
Who ensnare his defender at the gate,
and leave the just man with an empty claim.
Therefore thus says the LORD,
the God of the house of Jacob,
who redeemed Abraham:
Now Jacob shall have nothing to be ashamed of,
nor shall his face grow pale.
When his children see
the work of my hands in his midst,
They shall keep my name holy;
they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob,
and be in awe of the God of Israel.
Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding,
and those who find fault shall receive instruction.

Responsorial Psalm PS 27:1, 4, 13-14

R. (1a)  The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life's refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
That I may gaze on the loveliness of the LORD
and contemplate his temple.
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD. 
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, our Lord shall come with power;
he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel 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.