Homily For Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 21st February, 2022

 Homily For Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time Year C, 21st February, 2022

Readings: James 3:13-18; Ps. 19; Mark: 9:14-29

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

LORD, HELP OUR LITTLE FAITH

Oftentimes, we think that we have faith enough to face whatever challenges that come our way. But the fact remains that we can only know the level and capacity of our faith when we are truly faced with a situation that overwhelms our physical and mental abilities. Then we will realize that what we think we have as faith is nothing but a shadow of the reality. Such was the situation with the disciples of Jesus in our Gospel passage today.  

For a man came up to Jesus begging him to deliver his son who he bought to the disciples but they where unable to  cure him. But Jesus said ‘faithless and perverse generation!’ ‘How much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you?  And he said to the man: ‘Everything is possible for anyone who has faith.’ Immediately the man cried out, ‘I do have faith. Help the little faith I have!’ Tben, Jesus said: Bring him here to me.’ And he rebuked the devil, who immediately came out of the boy and he was cured from that moment. Then the disciples came privately to Jesus. ‘Why were we unable to cast it out? Jesus answered, that this kind  can only be driven out by prayer.

Here, Jesus gives two reasons why the apostles' failed to cure the boy. The first is connected with their own moral condition and disposition as they are only depending on their own personal abilities. Secondly and more importantly is their lack of faith. Though they had, indeed, shown some faith by making even the attempt at the expulsion of the devil, but they had acted in a half-hearted manner, and had not displayed that perfect confidence and trust which alone can bring success and make all things possible. Thus, Jesus made them know that in extreme situations faith in our prayers is very necessary towards achieving our desires. 

Therefore, If we begin to nurture our faith to grow and strengthened from small humble beginning, it will grow to the point that it can help us to perform and achieve greater things and conquer most difficult situation that, at first would appear impossible. So faith moving mountains, implies that spiritual ability to make difficult and stumbling situations to vanish. This of course requires humility and sacrifice and St James in our first reading said: If there are any wise or learned men among you, let them show it by their good lives, with humility and wisdom in their actions.

Dear friends, if we want to grow in faith, we must cultivate a humble habit in our prayer life. This is important because in prayer we are well disposed to follow the introductions of the Lord. Because,  for us to have the faith that moves mountain, we must be well deposed to embrace the power of God in our lives, we must desire to have a personal experience of the power of God at work in the world and acknowledge that in him come our victory over every situation with encounter. Therefore, we are called to let every moment of difficulties and trials lead us to grow in faith and knowledge God’s power and authority at work in us.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, faith is your supernatural gift to humanity, grant that we may embrace this gift in humility, in order to be well disposed to move out of our lives the tough mountains that are crushing us on our daily struggles. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a joyful week ahead.