As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, John
and approached the other disciples,
they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them.
Immediately on seeing him,
the whole crowd was utterly amazed.
They ran up to him and greeted him.
He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?”
Someone from the crowd answered him,
“Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit.
Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down;
he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid.
I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.”
He said to them in reply,
“O faithless generation, how long will I be with you?
How long will I endure you? Bring him to me.”
They brought the boy to him.
And when he saw him,
the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions.
As he fell to the ground, he began to roll around
and foam at the mouth.
Then he questioned his father,
“How long has this been happening to him?”
He replied, “Since childhood.
It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him.
But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
Jesus said to him,
“‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.”
Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!”
Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering,
rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it,
“Mute and deaf spirit, I command you:
come out of him and never enter him again!”
Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out.
He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, “He is dead!”
But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up.
When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private,
“Why could we not drive the spirit out?”
He said to them, “This kind can only come out through prayer.” Mk 9:14-29
Pope Francis on faith:
“Faith is a journey; it is a history. God did not reveal himself by dictating abstract truths but by acting in human history. The response of faith, in turn, is historical, meaning that it must be renewed and refreshed again and again. Francis even suggests that faith is not genuine unless it is tinged with a trace of doubt.”
Francis comments: “In the history of salvation, God saved a people. No one has complete identity apart from a people. No one is saved on his or her own, as an isolated individual; rather, God draws us to himself by considering the network of interpersonal relationships that form the human community. God enters into this ‘popular’ dynamic.” Francis suggests that the affective dimension of faith can only be developed within a community. “If you want to know who Mary is, ask the theologians. If you want to know how to love her, ask the people.”
Both the historical and interpersonal dimensions of faith underscore the importance of time. “The ‘concrete’ God,” Francis insists, “is today.” He explains that we must be willing to “enter into a process” if we wish to undertake the journey of faith. God reveals himself within and through time and is present in the unfolding of events. Faith requires patience and a willingness to wait. Only through time are we able to see how God is at work in each and every person and in each and every situation.” Catholic World Report by Msgr. Daniel B. Gallagher
Today, the Gospel continues to teach us about spirits. Yesterday, Pentecost, we have been given God’s spirit, the Holy Spirit which has great power to direct our lives if we allow it. Today, we read the contrast of the Holy Spirit which is a demon, or evil spirit. In the journey of faith, we learn who we are by where we come from and where we are going. The Christian faith is the only faith on the planet that has all three of these parts. A past, a present, and a future. God created us in His image and likeness, Adam and Eve were disobedient, God sent His only Son to redeem us and make the covenant between God and His people right again, through Baptism we gain this freedom, how we choose to respond to God’s covenant is the basis for our future with Him in eternal life. As Pope Francis mentioned, Faith is a journey. We must come to God daily and cherish the time He has given us. May we go forth today praying to God the prayer of the father whose son was possessed in which he cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief”.
Today’s challenge: Embrace the time God has given to you and increase your faith by encountering Jesus Christ right here right now in prayer and the Eucharist, then go forth and live in peace and joy on fire with the Holy Spirit, sharing the Good News through your actions, words if needed.
Be a servant, respond to the Holy Spirit, become a saint!
Christian YOLO
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