Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
God is all powerful, all merciful, and all loving, but unfortunately I still find myself like the man in today’s gospel asking Jesus to help my unbelief. Just recently I was reminded of my need to turn to the Lord and trust Him in the midst of a frightening situation. This last October my daughter and son-in-law shared the wonderful news that they were expecting our first grandchild this summer. We were thrilled! A month or so after this announcement, my daughter experienced some complications and an ultrasound was done. After the test, the doctor came in and told my daughter and her husband that there was a large bleed surrounding the baby and it was not likely that the baby would survive. They were told that the baby may live a few more weeks, but most likely would be lost by 20 weeks into the pregnancy. Needless to say, we were all devastated by the news.
When I read the gospel reading today, I recall that I was very much like the man begging Jesus, “If you can only... heal the bleed, let the baby live, and keep my daughter safe.” Just like the man and the disciples, I realized I needed to listen to the words of Jesus and increase my faith through prayer. It is only with prayer that I can come to know and believe in God’s divine providence, mercy and love. When I know God more completely, then I won’t say “If you can do anything...” but I will be able to say “I know You can do all things, and Your will be done,” since I will be able to believe in my heart that He knows what is best even though it may not be the answer I desire.
In the gospel reading, as Jesus approaches the crowd with his disciples He senses a growing unrest. The crowd is upset because the disciples were unable to cure the boy possessed by the mute spirit, and I suspect the disciples were frustrated that they were unable to perform the healing as well. You can sense the real frustration and disappointment from Jesus when he says, “O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you?” (Mark 9:19) The father of the boy comes forward he begs “If you can do anything.” (Mark 9: 22) Jesus had just come down the mountain from his Transfiguration. He had already performed many miracles and healings and yet there was so much unbelief. Despite all that He had done, and all that He had shared with the disciples they still lacked the faith. Jesus does heal the young boy after his father begs Him with complete humility and surrender and says “I do believe, help my unbelief!” (Mark 9: 24) So how does Jesus suggest that his disciples and those who follow Him grow in their faith? – PRAYER. Jesus understands His connection with the Father and the Spirit as the source of His power. He instructs the disciples that if you want to know God, know His will, know His love, know His power- this can only come from spending time with Him in prayer. It is the connection with God through prayer that deepens faith such that we can believe as Jesus says, “Everything is possible to one who has faith.” (Mark 9: 23)
Living out our faith is difficult. It is in our daily experiences and through the times of adversity that we best learn the truths that Jesus wants us to learn. At the time when I received the news about the baby and the pregnancy, and I asked the Lord “If you can do anything …?” I now recognize that I was putting Him in a box. I implied that He was limited and not able to do what I was asking Him to do. Yet certainly, I know that He can do all things since He is God! Through the weeks that followed, I prayed and I joined my prayers with many family and friends. Over this time, I began to realize and believe that God not only can do all things, but all that He does is good. Through prayer I knew deeper and deeper God’s magnificent power, His great wisdom, and His abounding love. It was only with the grace that God shared with me through prayer that I was able to move from “If you can do anything” to “I know that You can all things- and Your will be done.” I found a peace knowing that whatever happened God in His great mercy and providence would work things out for the best. I also knew He would be with all of us every step of the way. Two days before Christmas, my daughter had another ultrasound. The doctor said that the bleed had shrunk and the baby was growing well. There was a very good probability that the pregnancy would be OK. There was great rejoicing! My daughter is currently 25 weeks into her pregnancy, the baby is healthy and growing well and the bleed has almost completely resolved. I believe that God’s Hand was instrumental in allowing this healing, and I am grateful for His mercy and love. The power of all of the prayers that were spoken helped me to let God be God. These prayers helped me to trust in His will and to believe that His ways are always good. Even if the outcome had been different, I hope that I could still believe that God’s plan was best because it is always based on His great love for each of us. I recognize that during these times of trials being surrounded in prayer is essential. Prayer not only increases my faith and trust in Him, but it puts me just where I need to be- in the arms of the Lord.
"Heavenly Father, you are all powerful and all good. Your Son Jesus shares with us Your love through His life, death, and resurrection. Through prayer, may we allow Your Spirit to increase our faith, so You can bring your mercy, healing and love to our lives, and may we in turn share this with others. May everything we do bring you glory and praise. We pray this through Christ our Lord. AMEN"
- Marylynn Herchline