Word to the Wise
Saturday, August 9, 2014 - Saturday in the 18th Week in Ordinary Time
[Hab 1:12-2:4 and Matt 17:14-20]Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. nothing will be impossible for you. [Matt]
SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 2014 SATURDAY IN THE EIGHTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
[Habakkuk 1:12 - 2:4 and Matthew 17:14-20]
Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. [Matt]
How does one measure faith? When Jesus uses the image of a mustard seed as the measure, I may need an electron microscope to measure mine! Jesus chides the apostles about their lack of faith. Peter learned this the hard way when he tried to walk on water. Even after seeing Jesus calm the storm, the apostles still had their doubts about his power. Or at least they had doubts that they could exercise the same power. Today Jesus tells them that they simply have to believe that he will work through them and then nothing will be impossible.
Religious faith can, indeed, move people mightily. We see some of that in current battles in the Middle East and Africa. However, I don't think that kind of violence is what Jesus had in mind! In today's gospel, the young boy was possessed by a "lunatic" spirit which the disciples were unable to cure. Jesus tells them that they still have some growing to do in their faith in him. They do not need weapons of war. They need depth of faith and love of God.
If we find ourselves praying for an "increase in faith" we may have found that faith by praying for it! We simply need to act as if we have all we need, and the Holy Spirit will do the rest. AMEN
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