Monday, February 25, 2019


Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

(Sirach 1:1-10; Mark 9:14-29)

Since Charles Darwin explained the evolution of the species, many Christians have had trouble believing.  They say with the father of the demoniac in today’ gospel, “’I do believe; help my unbelief.’”   We live in awe of science with its own brand of wisdom to explain how the world works.

Nevertheless, Jesus invites us to another, deeper wisdom.  Science is hardly likely to satisfy all our needs.  Yet God is ready to assist us in the endeavor to live free from fear and distress as Jesus shows here.  When we pray with confidence and diligence, God comes to our sides.  He provides what we need whether by granting our literal request or the means to grow in charity.  After all, it is the latter which makes us like Him, the immortal Creator.

We have all heard of the prayer for serenity: “God, grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”  The prayer helps us face our own limits when we feel responsibility weighing heavily upon us.  The prayer may be altered when our faith wanes.  We could pray: “Lord, grant me wisdom to know You, prayer to seek you, and love to remain with You.”