Speak Up and Speak Out

As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. ³⁰There were two blind men sitting by the roadside. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” ³¹The crowd sternly ordered them to be quiet; but they shouted even more loudly, “Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!” ³²Jesus stood still and called them, saying, “What do you want me to do for you?” ³³They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” ³⁴Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed him. Matthew 20:29-34

In order to receive quality health care people need to have advocates willing to speak up to ensure a patient's needs are being met. I have seen first hand how the regular presence of a loved one in a hospital or nursing home is an important factor in the care the patient receives. Being present, asking questions, taking notes, and getting help when it is needed, all make a difference. But patients themselves are key to the health care they receive. The ability to speak about our symptoms or pain helps nurses and doctors do their work. They know their body and their symptoms better than anyone and need to speak up and speak out when the occasion calls for it.

In this story, we see two blind men who are advocates for their care. They believe (rightly) that Jesus can heal them and restore their sight. When they learned that Jesus was walking by, they shouted for their healing. When told to keep quiet they shouted even more loudly. They believed they deserved to be healed and would not tolerate being told to keep quiet. They did not believe that others deserved healing more than they did and truly believed Jesus could heal them. When asked by Jesus what they wanted, they spoke unequivocally about what they wanted Jesus to do. They had a voice and used it. When Jesus heard their persistence and saw their faith, he was moved with compassion. He touched their eyes and they could see. Persistent belief and speaking up for themselves paid off, as their lives were transformed by Jesus.

We all suffer and struggle in our own ways. While it may be tempting at times to minimize our pain in relationship to others, we must resist the temptation to make comparisons. We all need healing and wholeness in our lives. We need to own this for ourselves and be our own advocate for healing. We must let our doctors, nurses, and caregivers know what we need. We also need to let God know and seek God's healing in our lives. We can cry out to God in the midst of suffering and despair. We can demand God hear our cries and answer our prayers. We can shout out in faith for God to deliver us from our suffering. God hears our cries and loves to provide for us. We have been given a voice and God wants us to use it.

Prayer: Lord, give me courage and conviction to use my voice for my own needs and the needs of all who suffer. Help me to speak up and speak out for the healing of the world. Lord, hear us as we speak and respond with power, in Jesus' name AMEN.