Homily for Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time Year II
Theme: Faith requires Patience
By: Fr. Benny Tuazon
Homily for WednesdayFebruary 19 2020
(Mk. 8:22-26) Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel Jesus cures a blind man. What is interesting is that it took Him two sessions to complete the healing. At first blind man saw people like trees. After Jesus laid His hands on him the second time, he finally see clearly.
Was it lack of faith? Maybe. But also because faith is gradual. In the same way that in human relationships, trust is gradually developed, faith in the Lord also deepens and progress through time and experience. Conversion, that is a turning of oneself to God, maybe instant, but staying with God and establishing a stable relationship require an everyday decision to love and believe in Him.
The saints did not have an instant great faith in God. Through their daily struggles with life’s challenges and awareness of how God is active in those struggles, faith is developed. The more they relate with God concerning their concerns, the more they know, love, and serve God. It arrives at a point when they are willing to lose themselves to be with God forever.
Faith requires patience. Even Jesus, during His ministry, never forced anyone to believe in Him. He just went on preaching and doing miracles. He hoped that those who heard Him and seen His miracles would finally recognize Him as the Messiah. He was willing to wait for everyone to have a change of heart. For what good is conversion if it will be fleeting or temporary. Jesus was patient with Peter, Thomas, Paul, etc. He was patient to all including us. It was not only because He gives us a chance to change but also because He knew that change is gradual.
With our love ones who we want to change, be patient. One day, it will come. Meantime, let us pray to God that they be given the graces they need to change and respond by making use of those graces.