February 24, 2025 // Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Mark 9:14-29
Reflect on the Word //
Pain shot through my shoulder, radiating into my arm and neck. At this rate, I was going to end up in bed in hopes of easing the tension building and muscles spasming. “Lord, please take away this pain. Or at least lighten it . . . if You want to.” My prayer petered out as I uttered this request of mine. Maybe it was too selfish, too small, not worth asking. Was I bothering Jesus with insignificant blatherings about complaints?
“But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us” (Mark 9:22).
If you can. This doubt that infringes upon the request of the father in today’s Gospel reading is one I know well. I have much greater faith when asking God to help someone I love, such as for healing a friend with cancer, or for a miracle in a family member’s marriage. But that if looms up when I ask something for myself. I doubt if I am worth it. If God cares about these small worries of mine. If He will hear and answer me.
And Jesus replies, “‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith” (Mark 9:23). It is lack of faith—my doubt that He cares for me and my pain. I want to rely fully on the Father’s love for me, trusting that it covers even the smallest of my requests. And so I utter the same words of the father in today’s Gospel: “I do believe, help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)
And I pray: Lord, show me Your compassion. Teach me Your love for me, the least of these. Make known Your care. Help my unbelief.
There are so many ways our faith can be shaken, our trust in God caring for us and our needs being attacked by doubt. Jesus wants us to receive the gift of faith and to walk freely in knowing He cares for each of us fully.
Relate to the Lord // Is there a situation you’re facing where you wonder if God cares? Honestly relate your fears to Him.
Sarah Ortiz is a Catholic convert, wife, and mother to five boys while living in a 200-year-old farmhouse in Western New York. When not folding laundry, she can be found reading, experimenting in the kitchen, keeping the family library, or snagging amazing antique furniture deals. She was a contributing author to Set a Fire. Find out more about her here.
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