Lenten Devotional // Day 22

Mark 9:14-27

When Jesus, Peter, James, and John approached the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them and legal experts arguing with them. Suddenly the whole crowd caught sight of Jesus. They ran to greet him, overcome with excitement. Jesus asked them, “What are you arguing about?”
Someone from the crowd responded, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, since he has a spirit that doesn’t allow him to speak. Wherever it overpowers him, it throws him into a fit. He foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and stiffens up. So I spoke to your disciples to see if they could throw it out, but they couldn’t.”
Jesus answered them, “You faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I put up with you? Bring him to me.”
They brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a fit. He fell on the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been going on?”
He said, “Since he was a child. It has often thrown him into a fire or into water trying to kill him. If you can do anything, help us! Show us compassion!”
Jesus said to him, “‘If you can do anything’? All things are possible for the one who has faith.”
At that the boy’s father cried out, “I have faith; help my lack of faith!”
Noticing that the crowd had surged together, Jesus spoke harshly to the unclean spirit, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you to come out of him and never enter him again.”After screaming and shaking the boy horribly, the spirit came out. The boy seemed to be dead; in fact, several people said that he had died. But Jesus took his hand, lifted him up, and he arose.

Reflection

So many times after we read this passage, we hold onto “all things are possible for the one who has faith”. We focus on the faith part. Having faith in Jesus and what he can do, that we miss that God is also talking about us. We are made in the image of God, we too are capable of great things, great healing, and victories over great demons. If we have faith in who we are and what God has given us, we don’t always need to look to the external. God has already given us the tools. When we have a greater faith in ourselves and Jesus, we have a better understanding of our strengths and weaknesses, when we have to ask for help and when we don’t.  

Question for Contemplation

When have you felt weak or overwhelmed, or felt you were fighting a battle you could never win? Think about how you felt in that moment, did you have faith in yourself? Did you have faith that God will see you through? Did having an understanding of your strengths help you trust in God?

Prayer

God we often question your motives, your timing, or even the results of our prayers. We forget that you are always with us. We forget to have faith that you are always walking along with us in our journey. God, help us to understand that, in those moments of despair and frustration when we feel alone or useless, that we have the tools. Remind us that having faith in you is also having faith in ourselves. Help us let go of the evil spirits that hold us back, that make us question our faith, and that prevent us from living the life you have in store for us.