As we enter the last full week in Ordinary Time before Lent, which begins next Wednesday, March 5th, the first readings for all the days between today and Ash Wednesday constitute an overview of Sirach. One commentator has suggested that the Sirach readings this week offer “practical guides for shaping a life with God at the center”—what excellent readings to help prepare ourselves for Lent!
Today’s Gospel passage, in which Jesus exorcises an evil spirit possessing a young man and heals him, is part of Mark’s narrative of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem. The immediately preceding passage is Mark’s account of the Transfiguration. These miraculous incidents support the disciples in their growing faith that Jesus is indeed the Son of God; Jesus hopes that the disciples will hold on to their faith in his divinity when they watch him arrested, tortured, and sent to his crucifixion. Unfortunately, when they are confronted by Jesus’ arrest and condemnation to death, they run away, their faith destroyed by the grim reality of Jesus’ death. They have forgotten that Jesus tells them over and over again that he will die and will come back to life on the third day. In a moment of crisis, they forget to repeat the father’s words in today’s Gospel, “I do believe. Help my unbelief.”
Reflecting on all of this, I realize that I should be repeating the father’s words every day as I confront my doubts over the deaths and serious illnesses I confront daily as a resident of a retirement community. How can a good God allow so much suffering? How can I square all this misery with faith in a good God? The response to my own questions must be, “I do believe that you are God, merciful and loving. Help my unbelief.”
Let us pray.
Remember us, Lord, now that you are in your kingdom. Live Jesus in our hearts forever.
