All human beings long for healing and liberation. There are the usual physical things that afflict us - blindness, deafness, pain, and illness. But there are also things that are man-made: oppression, injustice, and cruelty. The Israelites believed that God would save them from captivity and oppression in Babylon. They also were convinced of God's saving and healing power - when God visited them, human pain and suffering would cease. We know that this is an unrealistic view - God does not always take away the world's troubles. The Israelites discovered that too - even though they were set free, the fortunes of their nation did not improve dramatically as hoped. But God gives us hope so that we can have faith. We are never alone and we will be given the grace and strength we need to overcome all.

Two blind men discover that the healing power of God is closely connected with our faith. They 'see' - despite their blindness - that Jesus is the Son of David - the Messiah. Jesus answers their cries for healing but he makes it very clear that their faith has provided the key to their healing by opening a channel for God's healing power. God is not stingy or partial in granting healing. God needs our faith in order to act. Rather than be overwhelmed by personal problems or the burdens of the world, we can look to scripture for God's promises of hope. Our faith will make us whole.