Matthew’s Gospel presents us with two men who approach our Lord for healing. They are blind. And as it turns out, because of their faith, they are healed. They can see. The number “two” in this story is no accident. It was placed in that passage for a reason. To better understand this, let us bring things up to date. Using the modern scientific method as a guide, for an experiment or procedure to be considered valid and verified by others, it must be replicable and repeatable.

Jesus showed the world his healing power was no fluke or stroke of luck. It was repeatable. He replicated it. He did not restore just one person’s sight that day; he restored two people’s sight. Jesus proved he was “the real deal,” as we say in modern usage. And, if Jesus can work wonders with others, he can work wonders with us. Jesus also showed what is possible if we have faith in him and allow him to touch us, as he did these blind men. 

We also learn in that story that Jesus gave the men strict instructions to, “See that no one knows about this.” Yet, as we find out, word of this miracle spread far and wide. Did the two men disobey our Lord? Did they betray his trust? Did they intentionally tell others? The scripture is silent on this. Perhaps word spread in a way other than the two men saying anything about it. Perhaps those who knew of Jesus and of these men figured it out for themselves. Maybe they put “two and two” together. 

Many people in that region knew or heard about Jesus. Many also knew about these men being blind. When these two men were healed, it was impossible not to see the profound change in them. Surely, it got people talking! In the same way, when we trust in the Lord, and allow his grace to come into our lives, people cannot help but see (and speak about) the change in us. Maybe, just maybe, they will want some of that change too.

Do we have the faith to follow our Lord as these men did? Do we have the courage to ask him to heal us of our maladies or shortcomings? As we learned, Jesus is “for real.” As he did with the blind men, when we ask him for help, Jesus will ask, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” Hopefully, our answer will be like that of these two men, and we will respond, “Yes, Lord.”     

Robert T. Romanelli is retired from the U.S. Air Force and married to wife Lisa. As a Holy Family parishioner, he serves in many capacities such as a catechist, head lector, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and volunteer prison chaplain.