The Catholic Calendar for Monday, February 19, 2001
The Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Sirach 1:1-10
Psalm 93:1-2,5
Mark 9:14-29
Full text: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/index.htm
A Reflection on Today's Scripture:
"Lord I believe, help thou my unbelief."
There are times when I think the older "language" rings more true
than any "more accurate" or "updated" translation can possibly do.
This passage is one of those times. A simple paradoxical prayer of a
man desperately seeking help: "Lord, I believe!"
Perhaps we are all there. What we would say is "Lord I believe, or at
least I think I want to believe." Surely if someone we knew and loved
and cared for greatly, could be delivered from so great a burden, we
would gladly say this. But we know our own sick selves. Yes, we
believe, or we want to. But we also know that we don't really
believe. There is doubt. There is wondering, there is seeking; like,
"do I really believe."
By ourselves we can't do anything. Or rather, the ONE thing we can do
on our own is negative (reject God's love). Every good action is
aided by the Paraclete, the Spirit of God, the Comforter. The Holy
Spirit is ever by our side and ever encouraging us to good actions.
How then can we become better believers? We do so by uniting
ourselves in the prayer of this hopeful, agonized, terribly human
man. We say, "Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief." And we rest in
the hope that God leaves no prayer unanswered.
- JuandelaCruz, TOC
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