Daily Reflection, February 24, 2025

Reflection:

Today’s gospel is about faith and unbelief and how we can pray for help and strength.

The disciples brought disappointment to a pleading father because they failed to heal his possessed son.

Jesus’ response, ‘You faithless generation,’ is surprisingly stern. It appears out of place and harsh. It continues Mark’s portrayal of disciples who do not understand what Jesus expects of them. Jesus is exasperated at the disciples’ lack of belief and trust, and Mark uses repetition of ‘how much longer’ to reinforce this. Jesus overcomes this feeling and turns his attention to the need of the troubled boy and his anguished father.

The father is desperate for Jesus’ help, yet expresses some doubt that Jesus is able to assist. His response of ‘If you can’ is a key element in this passage, with Jesus responding strongly that all things are possible for those who believe. The father’s response is intense and immediate. He expresses the human struggle between doubt and trust, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’ This powerful phrase spoken by the father captures the human struggle with doubt, even when we desire to believe fully. 

Jesus recognized the weakness of the father’s faith and at the same time challenged him to pray boldly with expectant faith: “All things are possible to him who believes!”

This reading reminds us that we can bring our doubts and uncertainties to God in prayer, just like the father did, acknowledging our struggles while still seeking his intervention. 

Joanne McGrath is a parishioner of St Brigid’s Marrickville and a Passionist Companion.