The exchange between Jesus and a blind beggar in today's gospel reading has always struck me as a bit odd. The man hears that Jesus is passing by and he repeatedly screams out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" despite the attempts of some to shut him up. When Jesus calls him over he runs to Jesus and this conversation occurs. " 'What do you want me to do for you?' The blind man said to him, 'My teacher, let me see again.' Jesus said to him, 'Go; your faith has made you well.' Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way."A blind man begging for mercy, and Jesus has to ask him what he wants? But as soon as the blind man states the obvious, Jesus says, "Go; your faith has made you well." (The word here translated "made well" is often translated "save.") So just what was the content of this man's faith, that he hoped Jesus might be able to help him? That he was bold enough to state the thing he so desperately wanted?
Christians (and members of other religions) sometimes refer to ourselves as "people of faith," but just what we mean by faith isn't always clear. Is is believing the correct things? Is it trusting in God? Is it hoping when hope is difficult? Is it taking a chance on God? Is it turning to God when all else has failed?
Today's gospel reading doesn't offer a precise answer. But it does say that this faith makes us well, makes us whole, saves us, and when we experience this, we follow Jesus on the way.
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