“And as Jesus passed from thence there followed him two blind men crying out and saying, ‘Have mercy on us, O Son of David.’ And when he was come to the house, the blind men came to him. And Jesus saith to them, ‘Do you believe, that I can do this unto you?’ They say to him, ‘Yea, Lord.’ Then he touched their eyes, saying, ‘According to your faith, be it done unto you.’ And their eyes were opened, and Jesus strictly charged them, saying, ‘See that no man know this.’ But they going out, spread his fame abroad in all that country.”
Consider, Theophila, that Matthew’s feast to the confrontation with the disciples of St. John the Baptist to the healing of the woman to the raising of Jairus’ daughter to this present miracle, have been consecutive events. Jesus’ whole life was one long act of love, and love’s demands guided Him through all that love called Him to do: “Amen, amen, I say unto you, the Son cannot do any thing of himself, but what he seeth the Father doing: for what things soever he doth, these the Son also doth in like manner” (John 5:19). So, as Jesus passes from healing the young maid, two blind men follow Him, crying out to Him for mercy. So too do those in error, a common signification of the term “blindness” in Sacred Scripture, cry out by their conversation that they do not know the love of God, yet their hearts scream for it: “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34). Or, this can be a presentation to you, that if you do not know the unfathomable love and goodness of God, blindly thinking He is less than infinite, sublime, perfect love that always acts as a loving Father to you, cry out and follow the voice of divine love: “These follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth” (Apocalypse 14:4), asking for mercy to be given to one of His little ones: “Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak” (Psalm 6:3). Jesus then withdraws into a house, for in walking after Him in blindness He often holds back His presence to draw you further in: “In my bed by night I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him and found him not” (Canticle 3:1), but this is an invitation for you to go more fervently after Him: “I will rise, and will go about the city: in the streets and the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth” (Canticle 3:2). When the two blind men arrive, Jesus inquires into their faith, knowing that they believed He could do it, but He desires their hearts to be made bare, and confess this same faith: “If thou confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thy heart that God hath raised him up from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). The phrase “Son of David” that they cry after Him is a messianic title, but He draws them ever deeper, that they may understand that He is more than the Messiah, but the God that can heal their blindness: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is prudence” (Proverbs 9:10). He then touches their eyes, confirming their faith. Consider, Theophila, the gentleness of His touch upon your eyes, for His healing is not aggressive, and love does not hurt, but gently touches the eyes that you may know the truth: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Love does not deceive, love does not steer you wrong, but sets you free. Now, Jesus, shunning the desire for fame but simply desiring to love His little ones, bids them not to say anything, which they promptly disobey. This is because love cannot be hidden, but in joy spills out of the lips: “Thy lips are as a scarlet lace: and thy speech sweet” (Canticle 4:3); “Going therefore, teach ye all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Finally, the two blind men can represent your heart and your mind, previously blinded to being loved by God and knowing the truth about Him, but by the gentle grace of Jesus, you come to know it, and go announce this love by loving others, spreading the Gospel by word, deed, and renewed affection. Therefore, follow after Jesus by following the fragrance of love: “We will run after thee to the odour of thy ointments” (Canticle 1:3), seeking Him in all things, for He will open your eyes to His ever-present love if you seek Him in love and truth: “Cry to me and I will hear thee: and I will shew thee great things, and sure things which thou knowest not” (Jeremias 33:3); “He that seeketh, findeth” (Matthew 7:8); “You shall seek me, and shall find me: when you shall seek me with all your heart” (Jeremias 29:13).