Monday, May 16, 2016



Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

(James 3:13-18; Mark 9:14-29)

For the Golden State Warriors Steve Curry seems to be the player to trust when the team needs to score.  There may be others who have more points on a particular night or who are less covered.  But Curry is the man to go to in the clutch.  In life we similarly put our faith in Jesus when we are in need.  Today’s gospel shows him delivering where others fail.

The father of the boy possessed by a demon feels desperate.  He goes to Jesus because he has nowhere else to turn.  If his son is not relieved soon, he might kill himself.  Does he believe that Jesus can help him?  As he says, “’I do believe, help my unbelief.’”  His wanting faith, however, is enough.  Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit to save the boy.

We should not hesitate to take to Jesus our needs.  He will help us even if we do not get what we request.  Trusting in him, even half-heartedly, will leave us better off.  This entails beseeching Jesus in prayer.  There we will ask ourselves what we really want from God and will find Jesus providing it.