GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Mark

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.”

The word of the Lord

 

Facing the mystery

There are moments in life when everyone face the mystery. Why is this? A question without an answer. But why do I need to understand the why of God’s plan? Perhaps because I don’t believe He loves me? Perhaps because I don’t believe in His power? Why is this? Answer: Does it really matter if I understand it or not? This situation is still in my Father’s control. This is the correct answer. He loves me, He is very great, and He is always under control. So… relax. Feel how your Mother embraces you and tells you in your ear: relax, relax… And so, I will live this situation with faith: I believe, Lord, but help my lack of faith.

 

Applied to married life:

Lucia: The Lord calls me to this path. I see it clearly.

Paco: (Praying to the Lord) Lord, I don’t understand this path. I don’t see it at all. Why do you make me go through this situation? I don’t understand what is this about; you haven’t finished uniting us in a conjugal spirituality that allows us to live our faith together. So, what is this about? (A few days later…)

Lucia: What do you think about what I told you the other day about that path the Lord is calling me to?

Paco: I think that if you see it clearly, then go ahead. I will try to be with you with all my heart. (And so this husband jumped into the void out of love for his wife without understanding anything, with his trust placed in God).

 

Mother,

We believe, but help our faith. Sacred Heart of Jesus, in You we trust.