Readings: Isaiah 29:17-24 / Matthew 9:27-31
Setting the Scene
Two blind men follow Jesus, shouting, "Son of David, have pity on
us!" They can't see Him, but they've heard enough to know who He is. They
believe He can heal them.
Jesus doesn't stop immediately. He goes into a house, and they follow Him
inside. Then He asks them a question that seems obvious: "Do you
believe that I can do this?"
They answer, "Yes, Lord."
Jesus touches their eyes and says, "Let it be done for you according
to your faith." Their eyes open. They see.
Then Jesus gives them a strange command: "See that no one knows
about this." And immediately, they go out and spread the news everywhere.
Isaiah had prophesied this moment: "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 blind see. The deaf hear. The humble rejoice. Those
who went astray understand.
Everything gets turned right-side up.
The Heart of It
"Do you believe that I can do this?"
Why does Jesus ask? He knows they believe; they followed Him shouting
their faith through the streets. But He makes them say it. He makes them own
it. Faith isn't just following. Faith is confessing, out loud, in front of
Jesus: Yes, Lord, I believe You can.
Notice what happens next: "Let it be done for you according to
your faith." Not according to Jesus' power, He has unlimited power.
Not according to their worthiness, they have none. According to their faith.
The size of their trust determines the scope of their healing.
Then there's this odd detail: Jesus tells them to tell no one, and they
immediately tell everyone. Why? Maybe because when you've been blind your whole
life and suddenly you see, silence is impossible. Maybe because some healings
are too big to contain. Maybe because they understood something we forget:
healed people can't help but bear witness.
Isaiah promises that in God's Kingdom, the ruthless will vanish, the
arrogant will be cut off, and the poor will find joy. The blind men lived that
promise. They went from begging in darkness to seeing and proclaiming.
Everything changed.
For Your Reflection
Take your time with these questions.
About Belief:
- If Jesus asked you right now,
"Do you believe I can do this?", what's the "this" in
your life?
- Is there something you're
following Jesus about but haven't actually confessed you believe He can
handle?
- What's the difference between
hoping Jesus can help you in your life; and believing He will help you in
your life?
About Persistence:
- The blind men shouted and
followed until they got Jesus' attention. When did you last pursue Jesus
that desperately?
- What makes you give up on prayer
before the healing comes?
- Are you following Jesus into the
house, or just shouting from the street? Try to be most persistent in your
private personal prayer time.
About Seeing:
- What spiritual blindness are you
living with that you've accepted as normal?
- Isaiah says the blind will see
"out of gloom and darkness." What darkness are you waiting to
see out of?
- Who in your life needs you to see
them the way Jesus sees?
About Witness:
- The blind men couldn't keep
quiet. When did you last feel that compelled to share what Jesus has done?
Sharing your faith story, your journey to the heart of Jesus, empowers you
and inspires others. Share it often.
- What healing are you keeping
silent about that others need to hear?
- Are you more worried about Jesus'
instructions or people's need to know?
Praying the Sorrowful Mysteries
As you pray the rosary today, see how Jesus bore our blindness:
The Agony in the Garden - Jesus sees what's coming; the disciples sleep in darkness.
The Scourging - Blindfolded, mocked, beaten, they couldn't see who He
was.
The Crown of Thorns - They saw a criminal; He saw their salvation.
Carrying the Cross - Stumbling through Jerusalem's streets like a blind
man.
The Crucifixion - Darkness covers the earth, all eyes closed, then
"It is finished" and sight returns.
Jesus entered our darkness so we could see. He bore the blindness of sin
so our eyes could open. The blind men touched by Jesus point to this greater
healing, the Cross that opens all our eyes.
A Quiet Challenge
Francis kissed the leper and his whole world changed. He saw Jesus where
everyone else saw only disease. He saw beauty where others saw horror. That
moment opened Francis' eyes to everything.
What leper is Jesus asking you to kiss? What person or situation have you
written off as beyond healing, beyond hope, beyond your concern? What if your
willingness to touch it is what opens your own eyes?
Closing
Pray this with your eyes closed, then open:
"Lord, I want to believe You can do this, whatever 'this' is in my
life. Touch my eyes. Let me see what I've been blind to: Your presence, Your
work, Your invitation. And when I see, give me the courage the blind men had, to
tell everyone what You've done, even when it's inconvenient, even when I'm told
to be quiet."
Then ask:
- What am I blind to that Jesus
wants me to see?
- Do I really believe He can do
what I'm asking, or am I just hoping?
- Who needs to hear my testimony
about what Jesus has healed in me?
Stay persistent. Stay believing. Stay proclaiming.
Friday of the First Week of Advent
December 5, 2025
A Franciscan Reflection
©2025 James Dacey, Jr., OFS
