Homily for August 11, 2018
_“O faithless and perverse generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly. *(Matthew 17:17-18)*_
The story contained in today’s Gospel passage is quite disheartening given that the disciples of Jesus attempted to cure a boy but could not. This happened while Jesus was up on the mountain of transfiguration. Upon Jesus’ return, he didn’t his disappointment at all with his disciples. This means Jesus was actually expecting them to cure the demon-possessed boy.
As a disciple of Jesus or as a minister, do I realize the amount of expectation God places on me? Does it even bother me that I do not even pray for the sick not to mention attempt to cure those possessed of demonic spirits? Jesus called his own disciples a faithless and perverse generation. What will he say about our generation?
When the disciples asked Jesus privately why they couldn’t cure the boy, Jesus, who had earlier referred to them as “faithless and perverse” now said it was due to their “little faith” which wasn’t even up to the size of a mustard seed. This means it is not enough to say “I believe.” Your faith must be big enough in other to work for you. Little faith is equal to no-faith.
The life of St. Claire whom we celebrate today is an example of one who had a large faith. As a young girl, Clare dedicated herself to prayer. On Palm Sunday in 1212, Clare left her father’s home and went to the chapel of the Porziuncula to meet with St. Francis. While there, Clare's hair was cut off and she was given a plain robe and veil in exchange for her rich gown.
When her father found her and attempted to force her back into his home, she refused and professed that she would have no other husband than Jesus Christ. Over time, other women joined them, wanting to also be brides of Jesus and live with no money. They all lived a simple life of austerity, seclusion from the world, and poverty, according to a Rule which Francis gave them. St. Clare and her sisters wore no shoes, ate no meat, lived in a poor house, and kept silent most of the time. Their lives consisted of manual labour and prayer. Yet, they were very happy.
In 1224, an army of rough soldiers from Frederick II came to attack Assisi. Although very sick, Clare went out to meet them with the Blessed Sacrament on her hands. She had the Blessed Sacrament placed at the wall where the enemies could see it. Then on her knees, she begged God to save the Sisters. “O Lord, protect these Sisters whom I cannot protect now,” she prayed. At that moment, a sudden fright struck the attackers and they fled as fast as they could without harming anyone in Assisi.
St. Clare was designated as the patron saint of television in 1958 by Pope Pius XII because when St. Clare was very ill, she could not attend mass but she was able to see and hear mass on the wall in her room.
Faith is a treasure more precious than all the gold and silver in the world. It is the power God gave us over the world and everything it contains. So long as you believe, the universe obeys you just as it obeyed God’s voice at creation.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, may St. Clare inspire me to a deeper faith. Amen.
*Be Happy. Leave Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time: Bible Study: Habbakuk 1:12-2:4, Psalm 9:8-13, Matthew 17:14-20).*
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