Monday of week 7 in Ordinary Time
Ecclesiasticus 1:1-10
Psalm 92(93):1-2,5
Mark 9:14-29
In the Gospels, we encounter numerous depictions of personal encounters with Christ, tallying at least 32 distinct examples of individuals interacting with Him. While this list is significant, it likely represents only a fraction of the total encounters recorded. In the current passage from Mark 9:22, we witness the poignant interaction between Jesus and a desperate father whose son is afflicted by possession.
This scenario prompts a reflection on our encounters with Jesus. Often, we feel His proximity, yet echoing the Father’s plea, we might ask, “But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” Jesus’s response, “If You Can?” underscores the critical nature of belief, affirming that “All things are possible to him who believes.”
The father’s reply is particularly noteworthy: “Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, ‘I do believe; help my unbelief.’” Here, the term “help” in the original Greek—combining the concepts of “bo ae” (to cry out) and “theo” (to run)—highlights an urgent plea for divine intervention.
This phrasing exemplifies a rich understanding of prayer in the New Testament, portraying it as an earnest calling out to God in times of need.Our faith we experience trials but we must continue to trust in the Lord.
Fr Joseph Osho