14 When Jesus, Peter, James, and John approached the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them and legal experts arguing with them. 15 Suddenly the whole crowd caught sight of Jesus. They ran to greet him, overcome with excitement. 16 Jesus asked them, “What are you arguing about?”
17 Someone from the crowd responded, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, since he has a spirit that doesn’t allow him to speak. 18 Wherever it overpowers him, it throws him into a fit. He foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and stiffens up. So I spoke to your disciples to see if they could throw it out, but they couldn’t.”
19 Jesus answered them, “You faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I put up with you? Bring him to me.”
20 They brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a fit. He fell on the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21 Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been going on?”
He said, “Since he was a child. 22 It has often thrown him into a fire or into water trying to kill him. If you can do anything, help us! Show us compassion!”
23 Jesus said to him, “‘If you can do anything’? All things are possible for the one who has faith.”
24 At that the boy’s father cried out, “I have faith; help my lack of faith!”
25 Noticing that the crowd had surged together, Jesus spoke harshly to the unclean spirit, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you to come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 After screaming and shaking the boy horribly, the spirit came out. The boy seemed to be dead; in fact, several people said that he had died. 27 But Jesus took his hand, lifted him up, and he arose.
Reflection
It wasn’t that he had no faith. He just didn’t feel like he had enough.
We often blame ourselves for a lack of faith. “If only I had prayed harder…if only my faith was stronger…” Does that sound familiar? All of us feel that sometimes.
This story illustrates that faith and doubt often live right next door to each other.
Jesus never said what’s needed is absolute faith – even mustard-seed-sized faith will do. What matters is that you’ll admit the possibility that God can.
by Joe Monahan
For Pondering and Prayer
Is there a situation where you’ve given up because you don’t believe God can? Try praying the father’s prayer: “I have faith; help my lack of faith!”
Prayer: When we despair and lose faith, help us to trust in you. Help us to find that little seed of faith that believes that you can, and will, act in our favor. Amen.
