We can do everything with Christ's help

February 21, Monday, 7th Week in Ordinary Time
St. Peter Damian, Bishop & Doctor
Daily Readings: James 3:13-18; Mark 9:14-29

St. James speaks about the wisdom that comes from above that leads to good conduct. It is this good conduct that should show in work. He challenges us to demonstrate what we claim to have. It is not just intellectual knowledge but one accompanied by one's behavior.

The gospel text clearly shows the lack of faith from the disciples of Jesus, who cannot cast the demon from the boy who has been possessed by it. The boy’s father explained that the demon threw the boy to the ground and had often tried to kill him. Jesus rebukes their lack of faith. He commanded the father to bring the boy to him. The demon made one last attempt to destroy the boy.

The question that arises in the readers' minds is, "Who is an intellectual? Is it the one who reads lots of books or the wise one? True wisdom can be acquired from God and God alone. This is what we find in the gospel text. The disciples thought they would use their power to cast out the demon, but they failed in the process. The disciples tried to give it a shot, probably after seeing Jesus cast out demons. They failed due to their lack of faith. As Jesus says, "This kind cannot be driven by anything but prayer."

So to make things happen, we need to pray, and whatever we ask the Father in the name of Jesus is granted to us. It is God alone who can do it for us. So pray to God and turn it over to him.

We need to learn from this gospel account that we should not make the same mistake as the disciples of Jesus made. And so, obviously, we need to work harder to succeed in life. As we move along in life, we must realize that we cannot do this independently. We need help, "we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us."

We need Jesus in our lives because we can do all things through him. Do you think you acted wisely? Do you think you have understood? Then show it through your conduct by reaching out in service towards others through self-control.