(School Homily): Friday, December 3, 2004

I always enjoy the Gospel stories like the one we just heard (Mt 9, 27–31) when Jesus cures people who are sick or handicapped. Today, He heals two blind men. Jesus touches their eyes and they are able to see again!

But then, the Lord says something that sounds peculiar. Did you catch it? He warns them very seriously, no kidding around, “See that no one knows about this.”

They don’t listen to him, but go and blab it all over. But why do you suppose that Jesus wants them to keep quiet about the great blessing He gives them?

The answer is actually hidden in another place in this same Gospel passage. Before healing the two men, Jesus asks them, “Do you believe that I can do this?”

If the men had said, “Not really. Who can give sight back to the blind? But if you want to give it a shot, go ahead”—then Jesus probably would have smiled, shaken His head, and walked away.

But that’s not what happened. When the Lord asked if they believed that He could cure them, they said, “Yes!” without any hesitation. So Jesus touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith”—in other words, if you believe totally, you’ll get your eyesight back totally. And that’s just what happened! The blind men really DID believe!

Now let’s say that you lived in a faraway village and heard all about this mysterious man named Jesus who touched a couple of blind men and gave them back their sight. You might think that He was a magician… or a witch… or a prophet… or something like that. Why, you might even be inclined to run and try to find this Jesus fellow so you could see him perform some impressive trick before your eyes, too.

But that’s not at all what Jesus wanted. He wanted people to believe in the power of God. He wanted them to know that God loves them and cares for them, and to prove it, He would heal them of their illnesses and sufferings and even their sins… not to put on a good show, but as a wonderful sign to confirm their faith.

And that’s why Jesus wanted the men to keep quiet—so people wouldn’t come around looking for magic instead of looking for God.

As you know, we are now in the season of Advent. I know you’ve talked about this in school. Advent is the time of year before Christmas when we’re waiting for Jesus to be born at Christmas.

But Jesus already came, didn’t He? He was born… and lived… and died… 2000 years ago! Why are we pretending that He won’t be here until December 25? Isn’t that a little silly?

Oh no. Not at all.

Just exactly like in the Gospel, Jesus is asking you and me a question: “Do you believe that the Son of God is really coming?”

Some people may say, “Oh yes! I do believe a lot! I do, I do, I do, I do!!”

But other people may be saying, “Well, I don’t know if He’s coming or not… but I sure love Christmas! Lots of presents, lots of parties, a vacation from school, home-baked cookies, and much more!”

Then remember what Jesus told the blind men: “Let it be done for you according to your faith.”

So if you really believe, then Advent is a fantastic time to get your heart ready for Our Savior. You’ll be praying extra hard… you’ll be especially nice and good… you’ll be thinking not so much of the gifts YOU want as the ways you can be generous to others.

But if your faith is weak—like an old flashlight with batteries that are almost dead—then you’re probably more interested in the TV commercials for this year’s hottest toys than you are in letting God love you in really important ways.

And you know what? Even the best toys and Christmas presents don’t satisfy anywhere near as much as Jesus Christ can.

When you go to lunch today, take a look at not just the one, but the TWO long tables outside the cafeteria near the school office—the lost and found tables. Or stop by and ask Mrs. Buesking what else she’s got inside the office lost & found: sweaters, coats, wrist watches, CD players and more. Good stuff. Expensive stuff. Probably some of these things were last year’s Christmas gifts that you couldn’t live without. Now you may not even realize they’re missing!

Today, on this Advent day, let us ask Jesus to fill our hearts with the things that are really important… the things that really matter—starting with a good strong faith.

Come, Lord Jesus. Fill us with your love and your light.