faith and doubt, part 1

Good afternoon friends,
Today's reading (and tomorrow's) doesn't fit with where we are in the resurrection story, because they take us back before Jesus' death. The reason we're reading them is to think about some virtues for "resurrection life" and community life, and the first of those we'll talk about is faith. In this story Jesus is with Peter, James and John. They're coming back to the rest of the disciples after spending some time alone (and seeing a vision of Moses and Elijah). As they return to the group, they find a commotion and a father desperate for healing for his son. The father's plea to Jesus seems like a perfect prayer for many of us who are faithful and also struggling: "I believe; help my unbelief."


God bless,
Sam


Mark 9:14-24

14When they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. 15When the whole crowd saw him, they were immediately overcome with awe, and they ran forward to greet him. 16He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?”17Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought you my son; he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak; 18and whenever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so.”


19He answered them, “You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.” 20And they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21Jesus asked the father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.” 23Jesus said to him, “If you are able! —All things can be done for the one who believes. ”24Immediately the father of the child cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!”