He asked, “What are you arguing about with them?“ A man answered him from the crowd,
“Master, I brought my son to you for he has a dumb spirit.

I asked your disciples to drive the spirit out, but they could not.“ Jesus replied, “You faithless
people. How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him to me.
“ And they brought the boy to him.

Jesus asked the father, “How long has this been happening to him?“ He replied, “From
childhood. And it has often thrown him into the fire and into the water to destroy him. If you
can do anything, have pity on us and help us.“ Jesus said to him, “Why do you say: ‘If you
can?’ All things are possible for one who believes.“ Immediately the father of the boy cried
out, “I do believe, but help the little faith I have.“

Jesus ordered the evil spirit, “Dumb and deaf spirit, I command you: Leave the boy and
never enter him again.“But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him and the boy stood
up. After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive
out the spirit?“ And he answered, “Only prayer can drive out this kind, nothing else.“

Reflect

The father in today’s Gospel is one of my favorite people in Scripture. His love for his son
and his faith in God inspires me. His life must have been so difficult. Every day he faced
the pain and anxiety of his son’s illness. He must have been exhausted by the need for
constant vigilance to make sure that his son did not catch on fire or drown.

Despite his exhaustion and fear – or maybe because of it – he brings his son to Jesus’
disciples, and they fail to heal his son. Though he must have been disappointed, he
persevered. He turns to Jesus and made a prayer that we can each make our own: I do
believe, help my unbelief. Too often I feel overwhelmed by the burdens of life, not sure if
I can get everything done and hold on to faith. But in spite of our fear, doubt, and pain,
Jesus is always there for us, as he was for the father, ready to bring us healing and hope.

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