In today’s Gospel from Matthew 17:14-23, we hear the story of the healing of the demon possessed boy, whose father comes to Jesus on bended knees entreating Him to have mercy on this poor boy.
As the father explains the disciples of Jesus could not heal the boy and after these same disciples inquired of the Lord as to why they could not, Jesus responded abruptly because, “you have so little faith”. The clear subject and point of this gospel is faith, a faith that can move mountains and can do anything.
The “mountains” that Jesus refers to in this gospel may be better simplified to mean obstacles that are stumbling blocks to our faith in the power of the Lord freely bestowed upon us who truly believe. Maybe in our lives there are “mountains” that if we could remove them, may enable us to assess the strength of our own personal faith allowing us to experience a profound spiritual conversion.
Are we prepared as we continue our journey towards Christ, to take specific steps in order to strengthen our faith. We must understand that faith, true faith, is especially energized by prayer. You see God is the energizer and through prayer make ourselves available to God, immediately and personally. For God is able to work directly with us, in us, and through us. Don’t forget these words, for prayer helps us experience the first inklings of God’s personal presence, the first intimation of His love for us, His creation, and the first joys of the new life in Christ.
There are those that think or suspect that faith is foolish. They often infer that faith is blind, but let it be said, there is nothing blind, ignorant, or foolish about faith in God. Given the evidence of creation, history and nature, even rational arguments favor the case of faith rather than for skepticism. God has given us abundant evidence of His existence in nature and of His love, care and purposes for humanity in history.
Fools are those without a mind, without thinking or understanding. The opposite of foolishness means understanding, insight, prudence for it is summed up best in Ephesians where we hear the counsel, “Be careful how you live. Don’t live like ignorant people, but like wise people…Don’t be fools, then, but try to find out what the Lord wants you to do” (Ephesians 5:15,17).
Let us invite the Lord into our lives so that we can discern our purpose in this world we live in, and fathom the words He addressed to His disciples, “Be wise as serpents but as innocent as doves”. (Matthew 10:16)
Glory to God for all things!
