The Seventh Sunday After Pentecost (Rom. 15:1–7; Mt. 9:27–35)

“According to your faith let it be to you” (Mt. 9:29), said the Lord to the two blind men, and immediately their eyes were opened. In proportion to one’s faith is the inflowing of divine power. Faith is the receiver, the mouth and vessel of grace. Just as one person’s lungs may be large and another’s small—and the larger ones take in more air while the smaller ones take in less—so one person’s faith may be great and another’s small, and the greater faith receives more gifts from the Lord, and the lesser receives fewer. God is everywhere, encompasses and sustains all things, and loves to dwell in human souls; but He enters them not by force, though He is almighty, but as though by invitation—for He does not wish to violate the authority over oneself that He has granted to the person, or one’s right of sovereignty within. Whoever opens himself through faith, God fills to overflowing; but whoever has shut himself through unbelief, God does not enter—though He is near. Lord! Grant us then an increase of faith, for faith itself is Your gift. And each of us must confess: ”But I am poor and needy” (Ps. 69:6 [70:5]).