Today
the
first Friday of Advent, the Gospel presents three characters: Jesus,
and the two blind men who approach him, full of faith and with
hopeful hearts. They have heard about him, about his tenderness
towards the sick and about his power. These features identified him
as the Messiah. Who could help them better than the Son of Man?
Both
blind men help each other and, together, address Jesus. The two of
them, in unison, make a petition asking Jesus, who they call “Son
of David”, for compassion: «Son of David, help us!»
(Mt 9:27).
Jesus
challenges their faith: «Do you believe that I have the power
of doing what you ask for?» (Mt 9:28). If they have
approached the Lord it is precisely because they believe in him. In
chorus they make a beautiful profession of faith, replying:
«Lord, we do believe in you». And Jesus gives sight to
those who could already see through faith. To believe is to see with
interior eyes.
This
time of Advent is appropriate for seeking out Jesus with a strong
will, like both blind men, in community, as a Church. With the Church
we call on the Spirit: «Please come, Jesus Christ our Lord»
(cf. Ap 22:17-20). Jesus comes with the power to open the eyes
of our heart, to make us see, to make us believe. Advent is a
powerful time for prayer: a time for petition, and especially
for the professing of faith. A time to see and to believe.
Remember
the words of the fable of the Little Prince: «The
essential can only be seen with the heart».
