First Reading: Dt 6:4-13; Psalm: 18. R. v. 2; Gospel: Mt 17:14-20

KEEP FAITH ALIVE

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

Failure can dampen our courage to try again. It takes a dogged mind to try again and again after several failed attempts in trying to achieve a task. The man who brought his sick son to Jesus for healing in the gospel of today may prior to meeting Jesus had tried several means to make his son well again but his son’s condition never improved. A condition as dangerous as throwing a person into the fire and water apparently would not be taking lightly by anyone.

But one challenging thing about the father of this sick boy was that he did not give up easily. He kept trying. And this time around he came to the disciples of Jesus for help since Jesus was unavailable at that moment. The disciples tried to heal his son but failed also. Despite another failed attempt this man remained optimistic and confident. And when he saw Jesus, he knelt before him and begged for mercy and healing on his son. This became his hour of favour; for Jesus had pity on his son and cured him.

We may be struggling with a very challenging condition for a long time without any solution. We can take inspiration from the faith of the father of this sick boy who never gave up but remained optimistic and kept believing. Some life challenges could offer us an opportunity to strengthen our faith; especially ones that almost crushed our confidence in God. When we come through in challenging situations; this outcome tells us that God is capable to remedy any difficult situation in life if we trusted in him. Our God is able even in his silence.

 

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, help us to keep believing when believing gets tough. Amen.