All Things are Possible to Him Who Believes

Homily for Monday 25^th February 2019

_“ And Jesus asked his father, “How long has he had this?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “If you can! All things are possible to him who believes.” *(Mark 9:21-23)*_

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 the devil and his principalities who sometimes operate physically by taking possession of persons around us. Demonic possession also expresses itself in our addiction to sin and inability to overcome temptation or repent from our bad 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 they had not prepared themselves ahead. As Jesus would later explain: “This type can only be driven out by prayer and fasting.” Like Noah who built an ark before the rains, we need to constantly prepare ourselves by fasting and prayer.

Thirdly, this episode highlights the need for love and responsibility on the part of parents. The Father brought his boy to Jesus for healing. His presence was also instrumental in the healing of the boy. Just before Jesus healed his son, his father cried out a prayer we must learn to pray: “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!”

Fourthly, faith is an all-important weapon. As 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. In dealing with difficulties in our lives, our faith expresses itself not just in the loudness of our prayers, but in our level of optimism about the outcome of the problem.

Finally, this episode reveals the level of disappointment God feels when we allow our fear overpower our faith. “How long am I to bear with you?” This means we have all it takes to defeat the devil and his agents. As St. John teaches us: “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.” (1^st John 4:4)

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, help me to apply my faith wisely. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 7^th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Ecclesiastes 1:1-10, Psalm 93 and Mark 9:14-29).