“Why do you say, ‘if you can?’ …”

February  20, Monday, 7th Week in Ordinary Time
Sirach 1:1-10; Mark 9:14-29

In today’s gospel, we meet a father of a boy with a deaf and dumb spirit, asking Jesus, “If you can do something, have pity on us and help us.”

This is the kind of a request we normally make to humans while seeking help. But not to God, for whom everything is possible! It is like doubting both the omnipotence and the benevolence of God.

Yet, the father of the boy is not to be blamed, because he was disappointed by the disciples, who were unable to help. This happens to us too. We are too prone to seek help first from fellow humans and go to God at the end when no human help is available or possible.

Moreover, some people turn to God asking ‘if you can, please help,’ as if they already presume that God will not be of much help.
To such people, Jesus is saying even today, “you, faithless people,” “Why do you say, ‘if you can?’”

This means two things – First, Jesus is rebuking the disciples who were unable to heal the boy for lack of faith and trust in Jesus; second, Jesus is telling all future followers that, anyone having faith in Jesus will be able to do all that Jesus did.

Jesus wants us to believe that “All things are possible for one who believes.”

One should express complete faith and trust in God, even for God to act in a person’s life. God does not intervene in anybody’s life, unless it is to save him from an imminent spiritual danger or to entrust him with a special mission.

For reflection:
Prayer with total faith can make possible the impossible. When in fear, doubt, or pain, or when are overwhelmed by the problems in life, do not ask God, cry out like the father of the boy, “I do believe, but help the little faith I have.”