Pride, self importance, self ambitions and the wisdom of the world are some of the tools of the evil one. We are robbed of our peace when we succumb to them. Even amidst an injustice done against us we should seek the Lord’s wisdom so as not to allow evil to prevail over us. The Lord’s peace is upon us regardless the outcome.
Let us never put our Lord to the test but in proper reverance and love for Him seek to grow in faith. Such faith that can move mountains for all things are possible with our Lord. And as we grow in faith let us constantly empty ourselves of all that is worldly and in prayer come before Jesus, so that He can fill us with His grace. He hears, heals and answers our prayers. Amen
FIRST READING
James 3:13–18
GOSPEL
Mark 9:14–29
As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, John and approached the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them. Immediately on seeing him, the whole crowd was utterly amazed. They ran up to him and greeted him. He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit. Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.” He said to them in reply, “O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him to me.” They brought the boy to him. And when he saw him, the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions. As he fell to the ground, he began to roll around and foam at the mouth. Then he questioned his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” He replied, “Since childhood. It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.” Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering, rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you: come out of him and never enter him again!” Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out. He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, “He is dead!” But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up. When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private, “Why could we not drive the spirit out?” He said to them, “This kind can only come out through prayer.”
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