💖 HOMILY - DECEMBER 5 💖

First Reading - Isaiah 29:17-24 

Gospel - Matthew 9:27-31

There are moments in life when we feel as though our understanding is limited, our vision blurred, or our hopes dimmed. We long for clarity, renewal, a fresh beginning. Today’s readings speak directly into that longing by showing us a God who restores sight—both literal and spiritual—and who transforms what seems barren or broken into something full of life.

Isaiah describes a future filled with surprising reversals. The prophet speaks of a world where the deaf hear, the blind see, the oppressed rejoice, and the poor exult in the Holy One of Israel. What seemed impossible becomes reality. Those who were confused gain understanding. Those who were stubborn of heart receive new wisdom. Isaiah is reminding us that God’s work is not limited by the present moment. He sees possibilities we cannot yet see, and He can bring life where we expect nothing to grow.

This promise unfolds beautifully in the Gospel. Two blind men follow Jesus with a simple but desperate cry: “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” They cannot see Jesus with their eyes, but they recognize Him with their hearts. Their faith is not passive; it moves them to follow, to ask, to hope. When Jesus asks if they believe He can heal them, they answer with confidence: “Yes, Lord.” And in that moment, their eyes are opened.

Their healing isn’t just a miracle—it is a living sign of what Isaiah promised. It shows the power of faith that refuses to give up, even in darkness. It reveals a God who responds to our deepest needs and touches the places where we feel blind or stuck. But it also teaches us something important: faith is not merely believing that God exists; it is trusting that He can act in our lives.

The experiences of the blind men resonate with us. There are times when we cannot see the way forward. Times when prayer feels unanswered, when circumstances confuse us, when God’s plan seems hidden. Yet the Gospel encourages us not to stop calling out, not to stop seeking Him, not to stop trusting that He can do what we cannot. Faith often begins in darkness, but it does not end there.

Dear friends, God restores what is lost, renews what is broken, and illuminates what is dark. But He also invites us to participate—by believing, by persevering, by staying close to Him even when we do not yet see the results.

This means trusting God when relationships are strained, when our work feels heavy, when our hearts feel tired, or when our prayers seem delayed. It means acknowledging our need for His mercy, just as the blind men did, and allowing Him to touch the parts of our lives where we feel helpless.

God is still the One who opens eyes, restores understanding, and brings life to dry places.

So today, we are invited to hold onto hope, to trust that God is at work even when we cannot see it, and to let our faith become the path that leads us into His healing and renewal.