Do you know what you are asking for?
Faith is not the impulse of the moment, but a brave predisposition to invoke God constantly. Without losing hope even when nothing happens.
I have always wondered why Jesus asks some people who come to Him for help, "What do you want me to do for you?" For example, the blind Bartimaeus, who sat by the road near Jericho, shouting for mercy. He screams, is so determined that he breaks through the unfriendly crowd, and when he finally reaches Jesus, He asks, "What do you want from me?"
Jesus asks, although he knows the answer well. However, he wants to hear from a man whether he knows for sure what he is asking for? Does he know the consequences of a heard request? does he understand the healing? Because healing is not only given to make us feel better or to make us better. But healing is to be followed by a concrete change of life, a radical change of thinking - a return to God and to people. As was the case of Bartimaeus who leaves everything and follows Jesus to Jerusalem "glorifying God".
Jesus asks because he wants to make us realize what our faith is; how sure we are that we want what we ask for and that only He can give it to us. God knows that we have everything in Him alone; we have the fulfillment of all our desires and needs. But the condition is to enter into a relationship with Him, to adhere to Him.
"Jesus set an example of incessant and persistent prayer," says Pope Francis. "Continuous dialogue with the Father, in silence and concentration, is at the heart of his entire mission. The Gospels also quote his encouragement to his disciples to pray insistently, tirelessly. (...) Our Father knows well what we need; insistence is not to inform and convince Him, but to strengthen our desires and expectations. "
That is why we often have to wait so long for the fulfillment of God's promises. "Faith is not a rush of the moment, but a brave predisposition to invoke God" - Pope Francis recalls. "Even to argue with Him without losing hope in the face of evil and injustice."
"But will the Son of Man find faith on earth when he comes?"
Until Tomorrow
fr. george