Readings: Habakkuk 1:12-2:4, Psalm 9:8-9, 10-11,12-13, Matthew 17:14-20
“O faithless and perverse generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly.” (Matthew 17:17-18)
The story contained in today’s Gospel passage is quite disheartening given that the disciples of Jesus attempted to cure a boy but could not. This happened while Jesus was up on the mountain of the Transfiguration. Upon His return, Jesus did not hide His disappointment with his disciples, meaning that He was expecting them to cure the demon-possessed boy.
As a disciple of Jesus or as a minister, do I realise the amount of expectation God places on me? For their inability to cast out the demon, Jesus called his disciples a faithless and perverse generation. I wonder what Jesus would say of our own generation today.
When the disciples asked Jesus privately why they couldn’t cure the boy, Jesus, who had earlier referred to them as “faithless and perverse”, explained that it was due to their “little faith”, which wasn’t up to the size of a mustard seed.
The question now is: “What is the size of my faith?” Do I strongly believe that if I pray for someone, he or she would get well? What are my expectations when I lay my hands on the sick to pray? Dear friends, it is not enough to say: “I believe.” Your internal disposition must match your words. Little faith is equal to no faith.
As the prophet Habakkuk insinuates in our first reading today, our obedience to God’s commandments is itself an expression of our faith. A lot of us Christians claim to believe in God, but we do not believe God’s commandments apply to our lives; we behave as though God is far away and does not see what we are doing.
As such, even when we pray, we still feel that God is far away and does not care to listen. We rise from prayer not expecting what we have asked for because our faith is not even up to that of the mustard seed.
St. Dominic was born in 1170 in Caleruega, Spain, to a noble family. He became a key figure in the Catholic Church, known for his strong faith and efforts to fight heresy. Dominic studied theology and the arts in Palencia and showed great compassion by selling his belongings, including his books, to help the poor during a famine in 1191. Dominic’s simple and disciplined lifestyle inspired many who were living in heresy to return to the faith. In 1206, he founded the first Dominican convent in Prouille. Even during the violent Albigensian Crusade, he remained dedicated to promoting peace and forgiveness.
In 1215, Dominic established the Order of Preachers, also known as the Dominicans, focusing on education, moral living, and fighting heresy. Pope Honorius III officially recognised the order in 1216, and it quickly spread across Europe. Dominic stayed true to his vows of poverty and often travelled barefoot, carrying only the Gospel of Matthew and St. Paul’s Epistles.
He became ill in 1221 and remained humble until he passed away on 6 August at the age of 51. Pope Gregory IX canonised him in 1234. Today, his legacy lives on through the Dominican Order. St. Dominic is celebrated on 8 August and is the patron saint of astronomers, the Dominican Republic, and those falsely accused. He is often depicted with a dog, lilies, a book, and a distinctive tonsure.
Let us pray: May Saint Dominic come to the help of your Church by his merits and teaching, O Lord, and may he, who was an outstanding preacher of your truth, be a devoted intercessor on our behalf. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saint Dominic, Priest. Liturgical Colour: White. Bible Study: Habakkuk 1:12-2:4, Psalm 9:8-9, 10-11,12-13, Matthew 17:14-20)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu