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Today’s Gospel is a tough pill to swallow.
It highlights two of the perennial challenges of the Church: remaining relevant in people’s lives and bringing them to Christ.
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Jesus has just been transfigured before three of his disciples: Peter, James, and John.
Now, coming back down the mountain, they’ve come across a public relations nightmare.
The other disciples have very obviously and publicly failed.
Although they’ve been given authority over evil spirits, the disciples cannot seem to cast a demon out of a young boy.
It wasn’t due to a lack power; it was due to a lack of faith.
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Then there’s the boy’s father.
Despite the failure of the disciples, he never doubts the power of Jesus. It’s as if he says, “Let me get to Jesus myself, and my problem will be solved. I don’t need the help of the disciples.”
Meaning, “I don’t need the help of the Church. I must go to Jesus myself.”
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How many people today feel like this boy’s father? They push the Church aside and look for Jesus on their own.
This happens for many reasons, but at times the Church is to blame. Like the disciples in the Gospel, we have the authority of Christ, but sometimes lack the faith or courage to use it well.
Herein lies the good news and the challenge for us – and really the Church in every age.
The good news is that many believe in God. But not everyone believes they can find God in the Sacraments of the Church.
Our mission is to show them how they can and why the Church matters.
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What has been my experience of the Church? And how do I draw others to believe God is found here?
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Share those reasons with others today.
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