RBWords

 

     I have to feel sorry for the disciples!  Yes, it is true that the evangelist Mark does not show them in the best of lights, but even so, it is frustrating to be in their position in the scene from today's gospel.  Jesus gave them power to cast out evil spirits, but now they came up against one that resisted their efforts!  One can just imagine their embarrassment when the father of the sick boy says to Jesus, "I asked your disciples to drive it out but they were unable to do so."  Their bewilderment is reflected in their question, quoted above.  Jesus' response to them leaves other questions!  Did he not teach them what prayer to say, or not teach them about "this kind" of demon?  Or if he did, why weren't they able to drive out the demon?  Or did they simply fail to include prayer in their efforts?

 

     I admit that there have been many occasions when I did all I could for a particular person or ministry and realized that I was not helping things at all.  No matter how much experience or training I had, the situation was not responding to my efforts.  On those occasions all I could do was to hand it over to God and hope that God would find a way to help!  Maybe the Holy Spirit could make another "referral!"  Perhaps it was at that point that I realized that ALL I could do was to pray for the person or situation and leave the rest to God.  I think that was the lesson I had to learn.  "Success" and "failure" were not [and still aren't] mine to define!   AMEN