Last Resort

Sometimes it takes a little effort on our part to make things happen.

Jesus asked the father, How long has this been happening to him? And he said, From childhood. It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us. Jesus said to him, If you are able! All things can be done for the one who believes. Immediately the father of the child cried out, I believe; help my unbelief! - Mark 9:21-24

In today's Gospel story, Jesus reveals a secret about how faith works. 

A man comes to him asking for help for his son.  The boy has been tormented by a demon his whole life, and the man has no where else to go.  He may have heard of Jesus and so he came seeking help.

But did he come because he believes in Jesus or because he heard he has power and he is at the end of his rope?

The man says if you are able to do anything, please help us, and Jesus replies, if you are able.

Jesus is telling us that in order for healing to take place, we have to believe.   The power is in our hands.  Without our faith, nothing can happen.

This is what Jesus told us about the prophet in his own hometown.  When he went to visit his family, the people couldn't see him as anything but the little boy they knew, so he was not able to perform any miracles there.

They have to believe for healing to take place.

How many times do we come to God as a last resort, after all else has failed?  How often do we seek healing but deep down we have doubts anything miraculous could happen?

The problem with thinking that our faith has a role in our healing is that it sounds like it is our fault if healing doesn't take place.  Who wants to hear that?

So, it is easier to downplay our involvement and put it all on God.

That is not what the man did, however.  He asked for help in his unbelief.

That's what we can do.  We can ask for help believing.  Perhaps we should start each day that way.  It can only help, right?

More to come...