Word to the Wise
Monday, February 19, 2007 - Seventh Monday in Ordinary Time
[Sirach 1:1-10 and Mark 9:14-29]Jesus said to him [the possessed boy's father], "If you can! Everything is possible to one who has faith." Then the boy's father cried out, "I do believe, help my unbelief!"......
In pastoral contact with people in many different situations, I have frequently heard the expression, "I wish my faith were stronger!" When I ask the person what he or she means by that expression, I get a variety of responses which usually hinge on struggles with doctrines or moral life or illnesses. It seems the very existence of struggles with these and other challenges in human living equates to a lack of faith in many minds and hearts. Two assumptions seem to underlie the statement. First there seems to be an assumption that faith is a kind of quantifiable reality that can be measured somehow. Some of the proposed measures such as church-going, bible reading, time at prayer, financial generosity, membership in religious organizations are not necessarily measures of faith although they may be expressions of faith. Second, there seems to be an assumption that if one had "more faith" one would not suffer the many different setbacks that are common in human life: illness, loss of work, broken relationships, accidents, etc. I know many "faith-filled" persons who suffer from all of these! Jesus demonstrates his power over demons to the public in today's gospel scripture, but the point of the incident is that God's power is not dependent on the faith of a person. God can work wilthin anyone. What then is the point of faith? The point is relationship. As Jesus points out, the demon involved could only be cast out by prayer. It is Jesus' relationship to his father that gives him confidence and power. The disciples are constantly shown to be lacking in their confidence in God's power. We are really all in the position of the boy's father: I do believe! Help my unbelief!" It is that request that moves Jesus. It is that confidence in God that enables a person to face every challenge. Jesus often uses images like "moving mountains" to describe the power of faith. The expression, "O you of little faith" is not meant to quantify faith so much as to challenge the faith that is already there to be intentional and active. Perhaps this might make a good Lenten resolution: to be more intentional and aware of the precious gift of faith. AMEN
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