Two blind men approached Jesus and begged, “Son of David, have pity on us.” Jesus was moved and responded simply, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.”

We all carry heavy burdens. In my experience, many of us carry our burdens alone, without the support of our faith.  Recently a heavily burdened person sought my counsel, “How is your faith helping you?” I asked. “It hasn’t,” was the reply. “I’ve stopped going to church.” 

Many of us Christians push God aside when dealing with suffering because deep in our hearts we blame God for our sufferings. We are troubled and angry and have to blame someone, so we blame God.  Sadly when we need God’s help the most, we have pushed God aside.

But what a different picture of God the Gospels give us! Whenever Jesus encounters suffering he  is moved with pity for the sufferer and he does what he can to relieve the suffering.  In today’s Gospel he heals the two blind men.

But Jesus does ask one thing - that we come to him in faith and trust in his care: “Come to me all you who are heavily burdened and I will give rest to your souls.”  The blind men come to Jesus in faith.  And Jesus heals them: “Be it done for you according to your faith.”

When heavily burdened and we go to Jesus in faith, we often experience a new comforting presence and a new energy to deal with our burdens.  We have experienced anew the grace of our salvation.  Our burdens are lighter; we are no longer alone: He is with us!

Only those whose sufferings drive them into Jesus’ arms know fully what is means to be saved and loved by Jesus. Suffering opens spaces in our hearts that only Jesus, our savior, can fill.

Francis Xavier (1506-1552), Spanish Jesuit and dear friend of Ignatius Loyola who left the security of country, family and friends in 1541 and labored until his death as a missionary in India and Japan, discovered this truth.  And Jesus responded to him according to his need and his faith.  He is now the saint-patron of all missionaries.