Monday of the 7th week in ordinary time
James 3: 13-18 Mark 9: 14-29
Theme: Prayer and fasting
In the gospel reading of today from St. Mark, we see how the disciples faced the challenge of healing a sick man, but Jesus came and restored the sick man to health. One of the wonderful attributes of Jesus that we need to emulate, is the fact that he is always willing to relieve people of their pains and difficulties. He is always compassionate, and no one comes to him in a difficult situation and go back the same, he will always put smiles in their faces, by lifting the burden from their shoulders. His disciples wanted to know why they could not heal the sick man, and he told them that what was needed in this situation was both prayer and fasting. What does that say to you as a person and as a child of God, it simply means that prayer and fasting are necessary in our journey of faith. That brings me to a very important question today, does fasting have a place in your Christian life? One can stay away from fasting for health reasons and practice other types of abstinence. Some of us, the only times we fast in the year is on Ash Wednesday and good Friday, while for some others, they do not fast at all.
The assertion of Jesus in today’s gospel reading should encourage us to practice fasting in our lives as children of God. It is never too late to embrace a practice that is good and beneficial to us in the long run, you can begin it today. Another thing that is worthy of note from today’s gospel reading is the humility of the father of the sick man, he said to Jesus, I believe, help my unbelief. Each time we take our situation in life to God, we must always do it with humility and faith. Remember, God has not changed, he is still the same person who is loving and compassionate to all those who come to him with their life’s challenges. Why not trust in him today and take that situation to him in faith and humility. Remember, what God cannot do does not exist, your situation will not be different.
In the 1st reading of today from St. James, we are all admonished to guide against jealousy and selfish ambition, because they will destroy us at the end. Instead, we are all encouraged today to embrace the wisdom of God, because it will lead us to peace and all that is good and will help us to attain salvation at the end of our earthly pilgrimage. Jealousy and selfish ambition will make us do the things that we will not be proud of at the end, and it often ends in regret, but most times it is already too late to remedy the situation. Let us trust in Gods process for us and allow him to lead us while we follow behind. As you do this may almighty God bless you in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit, Amen. Peace be with you.