Focus

Slow your breathing and become aware of the taking in and letting out of your breath. Focus on putting things aside so you will be open to what God is saying to you today.

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Read

Matthew 9:27-34 (NRSV)

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, crying loudly, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you.” And their eyes were opened. Then Jesus sternly ordered them, “See that no one knows of this.” But they went away and spread the news about him throughout that district.

After they had gone away, a demoniac who was mute was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the one who had been mute spoke; and the crowds were amazed and said, “Never has anything like this been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “By the ruler of the demons he casts out the demons.”

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Reflect

For the two blind men in today’s reading, the answer was yes. They followed Jesus, crying out and asking for mercy. They said yes to Jesus, and they called him Lord. Jesus responded, and their faith became sight—literally!

“Do you believe that I am able?” This question is about power and expectations; about what we believe, in whom we believe, and where we turn for answers.

Our Sunday-morning selves sing, pray, and recite our way through a whole litany of beliefs. We “believe in God Almighty, creator of heaven and earth,” who suffered and sacrificed; who won victory over death; who alone has the right to sit in judgment; who brings us together in communion and in community. We believe that God loves and forgives; speaks through his Word and works through his Church; and is on full display in the person of Jesus Christ.

But what happens when we face our own obstacles or are overwhelmed by the needs of our neighbors? How does all that Sunday-morning belief shape our Wednesday-morning lives?

Each Sunday we affirm that God IS able. The challenge is to figure out what that means—what it requires of us, and what it looks like—the rest of the week.

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Pray

Lord Jesus,
You are able…
to open blind eyes,
to turn sorrow into joy,
to free us from the bonds of sin,
to bring peace where it’s least expected.
I believe, Lord: I believe. Now help me to live like it.
Amen.

Go with God.