GIFTED CLASS

“This I seek…” –Psalm 27:4

Before Jesus healed the blind men in today’s Gospel, they had the gift of faith (Mt 9:28). After they received sight from Jesus, they disobeyed His orders to keep the healing secret. Instead, the formerly blind men spread word of Jesus “through the whole area” (Mt 9:31) before Jesus was ready for that to happen.

On another occasion, Jesus healed a leper (Mk 1:41) who also had humility and faith. Once healed, this leper likewise disobeyed Jesus’ order to keep the healing secret (Mk 1:44). He went off and spread the report abroad with the result “that it was no longer possible for Jesus to enter a town openly” (Mk 1:45). Jesus subsequently had to live in deserted places.

Like the folks above, many of us have been blessed with healings and faith. Will we also have a single-hearted love for Jesus? It’s wonderful to benefit from the good gifts God gives. However, those who love Jesus with all their heart (Lk 10:27) are more concerned with what Jesus gets out of a gift than with how they personally benefit. They ask: “Is Jesus pleased with the outcome of the gift He gave me? Will His kingdom grow as a result?”

PRAYER: : Jesus, You have so many good gifts to give me. May I not be given these gifts until I am ready to receive them in a way that gives glory to You. Quickly, make me ready to receive.
PROMISE: “The lowly will ever find joy in the Lord, and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.” –Is 29:19
PRAISE: St. John of Damascus lived most of his life as a monk. He is a highly respected theologian and defended the practice of honoring icons of the saints. He prayed, “Let Your good Spirit guide me along the straight path. Whatever I do, let it be in accordance with Your will, now until the end.”