Prior to today’s Gospel, the apostles had experienced success in their healing ministry – they had ‘cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them’. (Mark 6:13) Surprisingly, their powers weren’t enough for the possessed boy in today’s passage.

This healing presented a shared need – the good father requesting the healing; in humility and openness of heart, he acknowledges his limitations, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’ (Mark 9:24) A sincere request that could not be refused by a God of love.  In addition, the apostles were mystified by their own ineffectiveness, asking Jesus why they were unable to cast out the demon. What valuable witnesses they are! We often experience the lived reality of both – as the ones needing healing and as the ones providing the healing.

Faith is a gift from God.  He is the one who can open the soul so it can receive supernatural light, a grace resulting from an intimate encounter with Him in sincere prayer. For our part, attentiveness is required to see clearly what is really going on in a particular situation to know what to pray for. Eucharistic Adoration is one location to experience an intimate encounter; asking for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and discerning the Father’s Will, both vital ingredients to clarify and guide our prayer. Opening our hearts and surrendering our needs in prayer into God’s hands will open the doors to healing beneficial for building His Kingdom.

In life, nothing is certain but let’s trust deeply in the words of Jesus ‘All things can be done for the one who believes.’

by Margaret O’Shea