“I say to you who are My friends: Do not be afraid.” —Luke 12:4
God’s grace continues to be lavishly poured out on us to free us to love Him with all our hearts. In that love, we have the power to transform the world. However, Satan tries to block our reception of God’s grace and love. He does this by tempting us to sin, and he manipulates us into sinning in many ways, especially through fear. Therefore, the Lord commands 365 times in the Bible: “Do not be afraid” (see Lk 12:4).
In the Gospel passage, LUKE 18:35-43, we see Jesus’ mercy toward the blind man as a hallmark of his ministry. But does God heal everyone? And if not why? This is a question I have asked, and many others who read this blog, watch my YouTube Channel and listen to my podcast have asked me over the past 10 years, and many have asked, throughout time. If you are struggling with this question, this reflection may give you an insight into God’s plan.
Below is the story of Jesus healing the blind man.
Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar Near Jericho (LUKE 18:35-43)
As he [Jesus} approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When the blind man heard a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” Then he shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who were in front sternly ordered the blind man to be quiet; but he shouted even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and ordered the blind man to be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said, “Lord, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has saved you.” Immediately the blind man regained his sight and followed Jesus, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God.
Jesus comes as healer, savior, inaugurator of the kingdom. He is the embodiment of hope. Jesus wanted to connect human suffering to the very source of life and health. The energy of God pours through Jesus to the needy.
Now back to the question, why doesn’t Jesus simply cure everyone, then? The answer is obviously wrapped up in the mystery of God’s will, but the important point is this: Jesus is healer in many senses, but ultimately in the sense that he heals us from sin and death, not only physical maladies. What appears historically in Jesus is an eschatological anticipation, a hint and foreshadowing of what is coming in God’s time and in God’s way.
Spiritual Direction (Part 4) Brigid Ayer, Host of All About The Grace Podcast, delves into the question, What Does God Want? with the particular focus on the question in this episodeIs it Consistent? This 6-part series of podcasts on Spiritual Direction: What Does God Want, it will help you discern any decision you need to make large or small using this practical guide to making decisions according to God will. These concepts are based on a book by Father Michael Scanlan, TOR, former president of Franciscan University in Steubenville. This episode delves into determining if what you are discerning is consistent with the way the Lord has communicated with you in the past.
“On one occasion he was listening to Paul preaching, and Paul looked directly at him and saw that he had the faith to be saved.” —Acts 14:9
Would you have the courage and the assurance to yell at a person in a wheelchair: “Stand up! On your feet!”? (Acts 14:10) By that bold command, St. Paul healed a crippled man who had never walked a step in his life (Acts 14:8).
Paul didn’t always have such boldness. For example, for several days, he put up with the disruptive behavior of a girl with a clairvoyant spirit (Acts 16:16). “Finally Paul became annoyed, turned around, and said to the spirit, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ I command you, come out of her!’ Then and there the spirit left her” (Acts 16:18). Sometimes it took Paul days to give the command that would heal and deliver.
HOW TO CREATE A PARISH EVANGELIZATION TEAM – On this segment of Faith in Action, host Brigid Ayer goes on location to St. Elizabeth Seton to talk with her guests, Greg Fleckenstein, Evangelization Director, and Jen Weldon, Evangelization Team member about how to form a parish evangelization team. Click below to listen and for more information, the website is https://www.setoncarmel.org/
TEACHING CHILDREN TO KNOW AND LOVE THE EUCHARIST: In this two-part show of Faith In Action co-hosts, Jim Ganley and Brigid Ayer talk with their guests about the two children’s books that teach children to know and love the Eucharist.
Part 1) Our guest is author and illustrator Paula Trzepacz, MD. We talk about her new book, “My Catholic Mass Book-The Holy Mass for Young Children”. The book is a companion book for attending Mass featuring re-usable stickers and is available in Spanish. To get a copy of the book, the Website is www.catholictothemax.com
Part 2) Faith in Action, co-hosts Jim Ganely and Brigid Ayer are joined by author Claudia Cangilla McAdam who talks about her new children’s book published by Ascension Press, The Real Presence. To find the book at Ascension Press CLICK HERE Or to connect with Claudia her Website is www.ClaudiaMcAdam.com The video Book Trailer can be found here.
