Daily Readings - Mon Feb 25 2019
Mark
14And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them.15And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him.16And he asked them, "What are you arguing about with them?"17And someone from the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute.18And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able."19And he answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me."20And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth.21And Jesus asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood.22And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."23And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible for one who believes."24Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!"25And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again."26And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, "He is dead."27But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.28And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?"29And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on the nature of wisdom and faith. The first reading from Sirach reminds us that true wisdom comes from God and is beyond human comprehension. It is a gift given to those who love and seek Him, and it is rooted in His eternal and omnipotent will. The author emphasizes that God alone can measure the depths of creation and that His wisdom is present in all His works. This wisdom is not something we can fully grasp on our own; it is a mystery that belongs to God and is revealed to those who humbly acknowledge His sovereignty.
The Gospel reading from Mark provides a vivid illustration of this truth. Jesus encounters a father desperate to save his son from a tormenting spirit. The father’s plea, “I do believe, Lord. Help my unbelief,” captures the tension between faith and doubt. Jesus responds by casting out the spirit, teaching us that true power and healing come not from human effort but from trusting in God’s grace. The disciples’ failure to heal the boy earlier highlights the importance of prayer and fasting—acts of humility and surrender that align our wills with God’s. This story reminds us that faith, even when imperfect, is the foundation for miracles.
Together, these readings call us to trust in God’s wisdom and power, even when we cannot fully understand His ways. In our daily lives, we often face challenges that seem insurmountable, just like the father in the Gospel. Let us turn to God with humility and faith, acknowledging that His wisdom and grace are beyond our limits. May we learn to surrender our doubts and fears to Him, knowing that He is always with us, guiding us through prayer and trust in His providence.