Help My Unbelief

FEBRUARY 21, 2022, MONDAY

Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time (Green)

Memorial of Saint Peter Damian, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (White)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 341

Reading I

Jas 3:13-18

Beloved:

Who among you is wise and understanding?

Let him show his works by a good life  

in the humility that comes from wisdom.

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts,

do not boast and be false to the truth.

Wisdom of this kind does not come down from above

but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,

there is disorder and every foul practice.

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure,

then peaceable, gentle, compliant,

full of mercy and good fruits,

without inconstancy or insincerity.

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace

for those who cultivate peace.

Responsorial Psalm

19:8, 9, 10, 15

R.        (9a)  The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

The law of the LORD is perfect,

            refreshing the soul;

The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,

            giving wisdom to the simple.

R.        The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

The precepts of the LORD are right,

            rejoicing the heart;

The command of the LORD is clear,

            enlightening the eye.

R.        The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

The fear of the LORD is pure,

            enduring forever;

The ordinances of the LORD are true,

            all of them just.

R.        The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart

            find favor before you,

            O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

R.        The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

Alleluia

See 2 Tm 1:10

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death

and brought life to light through the Gospel.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mk 9:14-29

As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, John

and approached the other disciples,

they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them.

Immediately on seeing him,

the whole crowd was utterly amazed.

They ran up to him and greeted him.

He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?”

Someone from the crowd answered him,

“Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit.

Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down;

he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid.

I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.”

He said to them in reply,

“O faithless generation, how long will I be with you?

How long will I endure you?  Bring him to me.”

They brought the boy to him.

And when he saw him,

the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions.

As he fell to the ground, he began to roll around  

and foam at the mouth.

Then he questioned his father,

“How long has this been happening to him?”

He replied, “Since childhood.

It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him.

But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

Jesus said to him,

“‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.”

Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!”

Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering,

rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it,

“Mute and deaf spirit, I command you:

come out of him and never enter him again!”

Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out.

He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, “He is dead!”

But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up.

When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private,

“Why could we not drive the spirit out?”

He said to them, “This kind can only come out through prayer.”

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

The poor father’s cry, ‘I believe, help my unbelief’ is one of the best-loved human statements in the gospels. Does it express the reality of your own struggle to believe? It has been said humorously that most of us are atheists before breakfast, but perhaps we are half-atheists for most of the day? It is also said that most people live lives of quiet desperation. When you experience things getting beyond you, do as the father did and bring your problems to Jesus. Be honest with him; beg his help. You will, he promises, find rest for your aching heart.

PRAYER:

Jesus listens to the deep desires of those who come to him in their need. He recognises faith and encourages it. I take time to express myself to Jesus and ask him to strengthen my faith.