SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER, PRIEST (MEMORIAL)

Do you believe that I can do this? 

If Jesus asked you this question, you’d likely respond as the two blind men did in today’s Gospel (Matthew 9:27-31): “Yes, Lord” (Matthew 9:28). We know that Jesus healed many people during his public ministry. We also know that as the risen Christ, he still heals people today.

But if we believe that Jesus can heal, then why doesn’t he heal every person for whom we pray? As Jesus touched the eyes of the two blind men, he said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith” (Matthew 9:29). We might think, I have faith, Lord, so why didn’t you heal the young mother I prayed for who died leaving her children behind? Why don’t you heal my spouse’s cancer or my son’s depression?

This is a mystery we may never understand this side of heaven, and it can test our faith. We know that God cares deeply for each of us; he has counted every hair on our heads (Matthew 10:30). Yet we also know that he doesn’t always say yes to every prayer we offer.

But that doesn’t mean we should stop praying. Rather, we should imitate these two blind men and the persistent woman in Jesus’ parable (Luke 18:1-8). We should never give up asking, even when a situation seems dire. Instead, we should say, “Jesus, I believe you can do this!”

But as you pray, also ask God for the grace to surrender the situation into his hands. It’s not always easy to offer our most pressing petitions to God and then let go of the outcome, but the more you practice, the more your trust in him will grow.

God may give you a healing, maybe even a miraculous one. Or the healing might be different than you expected, perhaps emotional or spiritual. Maybe you won’t notice any change at all. Whatever happens, Jesus hears your prayers; he is always at your side, loving you, comforting you, and sustaining you. He will bring good out of your suffering, even if you can’t see it right away. After all, he is your Redeemer. By dying on the cross and rising from the dead, he has delivered you from sin and death. And that, in the end, is the greatest healing of all!

“Jesus, as I pray for healing, help me to surrender all my needs into your loving hands.”

Isaiah 29:17-24
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
Matthew 9:27-31