(Homily for February 20, 2017).
The
episode of the inability of Jesus’s disciples to cure a demon-possessed boy is
one that teaches us a lot of lessons. First, it highlights the battle against
evil which we constantly face against the devil and his principalities who
sometime operate physically by taking possession of persons around us. It is
not every person you meet that is normal. Demonic possession does not show on
one’s face but as Scripture says; “by their fruits, you shall know them.” Demonic
possession also expresses itself in our addiction to sin and inability to
overcome temptation or repent from our habits.
Second, it
shows that we must be prepared at all times to battle the works of darkness.
The disciples could not cast out the demon because as Jesus later explained,
“This type can only be driven out by prayer and fasting.” When last did you
fast and pray? From this experience, we can see that the disciples ought to
have fasted and prayed long before they met the demon-possessed boy. It is a
thing of wisdom to be prepared for battle ahead of time.
Thirdly,
this episode highlights the love and responsibility on the part of parents. The
father of the boy could have abandoned him due to this problem but he decided
to carry his son to look for a solution. Even the Father’s presence at the
scene was instrumental to the healing of the boy and his prayer is one that we
must constantly pray: “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!” Fathers, never
desert your children.
Fourthly,
faith is an all-important weapon we must not only possess but apply. Jesus
said: “All things are possible to him who believes.” This means that even while
the disciples were trying their best to cast out the demon, none of them was
expecting the demon to come out. Faith is a matter of expectations. Noah built
the ark because he was expecting the floods. In dealing with difficulties in
our lives, our faith expresses itself not in the loudness of our prayers, nor
in the speaking of tongues but in our level of optimism about the outcome of
the problem.
Finally,
this episode reveals the level of disappointment God feels when we are unable
to wisely employ our faith in fighting our battles. “How long am I to bear with
you?” Note that Jesus also made this same statement when the disciples woke him
from sleep when they were facing a storm at sea. By asking this question, Jesus
is indirectly saying that the disciples have everything it takes to cast out any
demon or solve whatever difficulty they encounter. This is what St. John was
saying in 1st John 4:4, “Little children, you are of God, and have
overcome them; for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” Do
you believe what is inside you is greater than all the demons in this world
combined? Do you really believe this? Then why are you afraid of them? Don’t
you think Jesus is just as disappointed at your fear as he was of the
disciples?
Let us
Pray: Lord Jesus, help me to apply my faith wisely. Amen.
Happy Sunday. Be Happy. Live
Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 7th Week in Ordinary
Time. Bible Study: Ecclesiasticus 1:1-10 and Mark 9:14-29).
Fr. Abu.
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