The Word God Spells

Mark 9: 14-29
Sir 1:1-10 / Ps 93

Jesus said, ‘All things can be done for the one who believes.’ The father cried out, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’
(Mark 9:23-24)

Should evil keep my soul in chains,
Where do I turn to for relief?
With faith in God my hope remains. . .
Lord, help me with my unbelief.

Coming down from the mountain after His transfiguration, Jesus is confronted by the sight of His other nine apostles arguing with some scribes. When He asked them what they were arguing about, a man told our Lord that he had brought his son who was possessed by a demon to Jesus’ apostles, but they were unable to expel the evil spirit from the boy. Jesus then asked the father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ And he said, ‘From childhood. It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘All things can be done for the one who believes.’ The father cried out, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’ Jesus then rebuked the evil spirit, saying to it, ‘I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!’ After crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out of the boy. Later, His disciples asked Jesus, ‘Why couldn’t we cast it out?’ He told them, ‘This kind can come out only through prayer.’

Reflection

This Gospel passage seems to be showing the human side of Jesus. He was getting impatient with the slow development of His apostles’ faith. Coming down from the mountain where He had been apprised of His nearing crucifixion, Jesus knew He didn’t have much time left with His apostles. It was obvious that His apostles were not able to exorcise the evil spirit from the boy because they were more concerned with their power to heal and exorcise (to show those skeptical scribes) than to ask the Father in prayer and to show compassion to the father and his distressed son. Thus He showed His compassion by asking the father about the history of his son’s evil entrapment. He was also able to draw out what little faith the father possessed.

Time and time again, Jesus shows us that having faith is more important than being healed. And having gifts of the Holy Spirit (like healing) does not necessarily mean that we have a strong faith either. In all instances, we must turn to God in prayer, whether to ask for somebody’s healing or to exorcise an evil influence. When our friend Dondon decided it was high time to stop his heavy smoking habit, he turned to God for help, and surrendered his addiction to Him in deep prayer. Later, he said he could not believe that quitting the habit seemed almost effortless, without even any withdrawal effects. It was at that time when he saw that only God could help him overcome his addiction. And then his greater spiritual healing followed. He is now a renewed non-smoker.

Father God, we are constantly besieged by doubt; please cure us of our unbelief, which is the cause of our many ailments. Make us to become men and women of prayer. In Christ’s name. Amen.