On His way to Jarius’ house, with a crowd following, there was a woman who had been ill for some time and doctors could do nothing for her. She thought: “if only I could get close enough to Jesus and touch His cloak, I’ll be healed.”
And so she did, and she was healed. Jesus felt her touching Him and said to her: “Your Faith has healed you.”
As He continued His journey a messenger came and told Jarius that his daughter was dead. “Don’t disturb Jesus any further.”
Jesus said to Jarius: “Don’t be afraid; only believe and she will be well.”
He then went to the house and raised the child from the dead.
As He was leaving that place, two blind men followed Jesus. (Matthew 9:27-31).
They begged Him to be healed.
So Jesus asked them: “Do you believe that I can heal you?”
“Yes” they answered.
Jesus touched their eyes and said: “Let it happen, then, just as you believe!”
And their sight was restored.
The common theme in these three incidents is that the individuals concerned believed in Jesus and in His power of healing.
The woman did not even have to ask Him. She believed that touching Him alone would heal her.
Jarius must have been devastated to hear of his daughter’s death; but Jesus told him to believe. He had a quick choice to make: carry on towards the house with Jesus, or send Him away. He believed in Jesus.
The two blind men were asked directly: “Do you believe that I can heal you?”
What a challenge from Jesus Himself. Do you really believe? Or are you here because you may have heard so much about me, or as a gamble that it might work, or for some other reason?
When we earnestly pray to God and ask for something; what percentage in us really believes that He can help us? Or is there that minute 1% of a doubt lurking there, at the back of our mind, making us doubt His willingness, or ability, to help?
When my children were just small, I use to go to daily mass and sit with them in what we would call the "crying room", for those of us with active little ones. One of my favorite priests, Fr. Carl, long deceased, would pray this prayer at the Eucharistic table during the consecration," Father, thank you for my belief, help me with my unbelief". It was an utterance, I'm not really sure he was aware that the microphone carried his voice. Anyway, I thought that this phrase spoke to all of us. And after many years, your post brought this to mind.I know I have not answered your question, I think you understand why I rambled on though.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you Victor
Thank you Daily Grace. That prayer from Mark 9:24 is one of my favorites.
DeleteGod bless you and your family.
Great question Victor. I often ask myself the same question ... is there any shred of doubt in the back of my head about anything I ask for? Sometimes it is hard to tell. We might say one thing and act differently.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless.