Chrysostom
Beloved of All
You cry out for strong prayers for your eyesight. Remember the blind men who approached Christ with nothing but loud cries and the single word, “Mercy.” Their earnestness was their strength, not their sight. But do not suppose that a miracle of healing is the greatest thing. If your bodily eyes were opened and yet the eyes of your soul remained shut, what would you have gained?
Many who saw wonders with their own eyes still did not believe, while others whose sight was struck out received faith through hearing alone. Pray with fervor, but let your chief pursuit be the light of virtue. A life that shines with love and endurance is more admirable in the sight of God than any miracle, just as John, who did no wondrous work, drew whole cities to himself by holiness. Let your own prayers be strong, not by demanding signs, but by a humble cry for mercy and a resolve to walk in righteousness.
For if we are watchful, we have less need of others’ help; but if we sleep, even the prayers of all the saints will profit us nothing unless we ourselves are on the alert. Do not exalt yourself by thinking you need no intercession; even Paul needed the church’s prayers. But do not neglect your part. Call upon the Lord as the blind men did, and we shall join our prayers to yours, trusting that He who had compassion on the multitude and fed the hungry will also look upon you.
Yet remember that He often delays the outward miracle to stir up your faith and to lead you from a desire for wonders to a love of humble practice.
Many who saw wonders with their own eyes still did not believe, while others whose sight was struck out received faith through hearing alone. Pray with fervor, but let your chief pursuit be the light of virtue. A life that shines with love and endurance is more admirable in the sight of God than any miracle, just as John, who did no wondrous work, drew whole cities to himself by holiness. Let your own prayers be strong, not by demanding signs, but by a humble cry for mercy and a resolve to walk in righteousness.
For if we are watchful, we have less need of others’ help; but if we sleep, even the prayers of all the saints will profit us nothing unless we ourselves are on the alert. Do not exalt yourself by thinking you need no intercession; even Paul needed the church’s prayers. But do not neglect your part. Call upon the Lord as the blind men did, and we shall join our prayers to yours, trusting that He who had compassion on the multitude and fed the hungry will also look upon you.
Yet remember that He often delays the outward miracle to stir up your faith and to lead you from a desire for wonders to a love of humble practice.
