REFLECTIONS TODAY When a man approaches Jesus to cure his son possessed by a demon because Jesus’ disciples could not drive the demon out, Jesus reproaches the “faithless and perverse generation.” To whom is the reproach addressed? It can be addressed to the unbelievers among the Jewish crowd. But the disciples are also told that their faith is wanting; their faith is “little” vis-à-vis a strong demon. Mark’s version has Jesus explain the inability of the disciples, “This kind can only come out through prayer” (Mk 9:29). The Twelve (apostles) were sent with the power to “drive out demons” (Mt 10:8). But this power does not automatically come to them, like their very own possession, unlike in the case of Jesus, as he is the Son of God. The Twelve are powerful only if they rely on Jesus and act in his name. Hence, there is the necessity of prayer, of remaining in the grace of God and of Jesus Christ. In this sense, in the exorcism done in our times, the exorcist orders the demon: “The power of Christ compels you.”

GOSPEL • MATTHEW 17:14-20

A man came up to Jesus, knelt down before him, and said, “Lord, have pity on my son, who is a lunatic and suffers severely; often he falls into fire, and often into water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him.” Jesus said in reply, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus rebuked him and the demon came out of him, and from that hour the boy was cured. Then the disciples approached Jesus in private and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith. Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2021,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.