Gospel: Mark 9: 14-29
Jesus comes down from the mount of the transfiguration and encounters a crowd engaged in conversation. A boy possessed by a demon is unable to be cured by Jesus' disciples, and a frantic father is desperate for a cure for him. How similar is this scene to the one about the Golden Calf! Jesus goes away to the mountain and right away the disciples fail.
The disciples are unable to heal the boy because they forgot the source of all healing lies in God alone. They relied on their own abilities and person, which always and everywhere leads to ultimate failure and the demons remain among us. Jesus rebukes everyone in the story for their lack of faith. It is only the father of the boy who recognizes his failure in this area and begs for an increase in faith.
How often does this happen in our individual and communal lives! How many people go without help because of our indifference or smug discipleship that relies on personal charisma or charm and none at all in faith and love? If we rely on paid independent consultants to decide whether and how to help people, then healing will not take place, and the demons will remain among us. To imitate the Lord Jesus is the only way to healing and salvation for all.
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