Now, you might believe that I am about to engage in a treatise concerning the sin of not wanting to submit to the Will of God, when we pray to Him.

And, indeed, if we forsake our ego, we can help God fulfill those miracles we petition Him for. 

Yet, that is NOT what the main message of this scripture is! I will be brief in explaining what lesson each one of us should learn in this story, because that is ALL that is required!

More than a history of a miracle, this is a Biblical Warning against SIMONY.

Simony is ACCEPTING or OFFERING anything as payment for Sacraments or ANYTHING that is being bestowed or conferred on  or to someone on behalf of God or in His name or honor.

If you are clergy, a prophet or any other servant of God, JUDGMENT is more severe if you are guilty of this SIN than the it would be for other members of the Faithful.

But, servant of God or not, the message is clear and unambiguous! Let me paraphrase in my own words and understanding:

"SIMONY will buy you a one-way ticket to HELL faster than MURDER!"

     ~Even MULTIPLE MURDER might be forgiven before SIMONY is!~

Having said that, if you are a subject in God's Kingdom, and a member of the Faithful, even just the temptation or suggestion of simony should be avoided at all costs! 

DON'T ACCEPT OR OFFER PAYMENT ~MONETARY, GIFTS OR FAVORS~ OF ANY KIND IN EXCHANGE FOR BLESSINGS, SACRAMENTS, WORKS, HEALINGS, MIRACLES OR ANYTHING GIVEN IN HONOR OF GOD!

Sorry about the SHOUTING, but, I did not want you to be confused about my interpretation!

So, be CAREFUL what you PRAY for, and, how you expect God to answer or fulfill your request!

This scripture reveals a lot about a different sort of awareness.  It is a consciousness we can attain that complements our baptism. 

There is a baptism of the body, a baptism of the mind, and, a baptism of the soul. I believe, in this passage, Jesus Christ is talking about the baptism of the mind.

It becomes possible when the Holy Spirit helps our mind become sound. When the ears attain the ability to see, and,  the  eyes achieve  the means to hear, the mind acquires a new perspective. 

And when the mind is sound, the whole body is illuminated by being able to discern what is right from wrong.  In other words,  it learns to listen to the voice of  its conscience...

...A conscience that has God's word and law imprinted on it.