Word to the Wise
Monday, February 21, 2022 - Monday in the 7th Week in Ordinary Time
[Jas 3:13-18 and Mark 9:14-29]"But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us." "'If you can!' Everything is possible to one who has faith." Then the boy's father cried out, "I do believe, help my unbelief!" [Mark]
This scene has a familiar quality to it. It features a desperate parent with a sick child. The Syro-phoenician woman and Jairus, the synagogue official, came to Jesus in the same circumstances earlier in this gospel. In each case, Jesus seems to test their faith before granting their request. In today's scene, the parent cries out, "I do believe! Help my unbelief!"
I have mentioned before in my reflections one of the activities of the Catholic student center here at Texas Tech. It is a table outside the university student center with a sign that says, ASK A CATHOLIC A QUESTION!
Occasionally I join the students who staff the table. Once in a while I detect in the way some questions are phrased that there is something going on in the life of that particular student inquirer that suggests desperation. They are saying to the students at the table, "Can you help me?" What can be seen or felt is the spark of faith that a compassionate response can bring to life and something wonderful can happen. "I do believe! Help my unbelief!"
Those who lead RCIA programs in parishes also experience this kind of cry as they help newcomers to Catholic tradition struggle with elements of Catholic faith that seem strange to them. The student table and the RCIA programs are not the only venues for this cry for help. When we encounter this, our compassionate and faith-filled response can do wonders. AMEN