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Home Sections The Daily B.R.E.A.D. February 23, 2009 - Monday Gospel (Felt Helpless?)
February 23, 2009 - Monday Gospel (Felt Helpless?) PDF Print E-mail
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Sections - The Daily B.R.E.A.D.
Saturday, 21 February 2009 15:19
Grab hold of the dream and the dream will propel you to become the equipped power tool God needs you to be.
 
Sirach 1:1-10
Psalm 93:1ab, 1cd-2, 5

Mark 9:14-29  And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd about them, and scribes arguing with them. (15) And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and ran up to him and greeted him. (16) And he asked them, "What are you discussing with them?" (17) And one of the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a dumb spirit; (18) and wherever it seizes him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able." (19) And he answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me." (20) And they brought the boy to him; and when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. (21) And Jesus asked his father, "How long has he had this?" And he said, "From childhood. (22) And it has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us." (23) And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible to him who believes." (24) Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" (25) And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again." (26) And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said, "He is dead." (27) But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. (28) And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" (29) And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer."

Meditation by Cathy Weiss Pedersen (Campus Ministry - Creighton)

Recently, I entered the wonderful world of grand-motherhood.  These past five months have opened an awe inspiring journey as I marvel at the gift of new life in our grandson.  I am again invited into the world of wonder as I watch Henry take in the world around him...the people in his life as he begins to recognize faces and sounds of voices, his hands and feet as he reaches for his toys and books, and even his voice as he coos and squeals in responsive 'conversation' with us.  This is the beginning of Henry's path to knowledge of his universe as he observes and drinks in all that he sees, touches, tastes, hears and smells, even before he has words or meaning for it all.

And so I read today's passage from Sirach with a new appreciation in God's gift of wisdom.  "It is God who has created Her (wisdom)...who has poured Her forth upon all God's works, upon every living creature, as a gift."  I marvel at the magnificent present of understanding that comes from God.  Yet wisdom is more than observation, experience and knowledge of what is around us.  True...it is important to study and learn as much as we can in our various academic disciplines, professions, and walks of life so that we may better understand our world.  However, unless we step back to reflect on the meaning of our knowledge, we will bring little insight and wisdom.  This is certainly evident as we attempt to address the current economic challenges in our nation and our world.  It is apparent when we are puzzled by a persistent health problem that refuses healing, regardless of various medications and/or treatments.  And it is painfully obvious on the occasion of our day to day struggles in our personal relationships.
Jesus' disciples also faced this kind of challenge in today's Gospel.  As Jesus, Peter and John approach a small crowd, the parent of a young child begs Jesus to do something to heal the child suffering from convulsions.  Some of the disciples had tried unsuccessfully to cast out the mute spirit from the child.
The parent pleads, "From infancy, the spirit often throws our little one into the fire and into the water.  But if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us!"  Jesus responds that all things are possible to those who believe; he then casts out the mute and deaf spirit from the child.   Privately, the disciples ask Jesus why they couldn't expel the spirit.  Jesus explained that this kind of spirit can only be driven out through prayer.

The disciples had learned much from Jesus and thought they could help others.

How often do I/we depend on our knowledge base, bring all our understanding to a problem, and yet feel helpless...wondering what went wrong and second guessing ourselves? 

Today's scriptures remind me that regardless of all the knowledge and resources that are available to me, I need to take time to step back, reflect with others' wisdom, and invite God in...open myself to insight and wisdom in order to truly 'see' a solution.  

My prayer today is that I/we do take a step or two back...and open ourselves prayerfully to God's wisdom and understanding in our day to day world.
 
Supplementary Reading

Dream Big

"Joseph had a dream...'Listen,' he said...'the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.'" - Genesis 37:5-9

Dare to grab a dream-a big dream-a bold dream! You may get dragged along by it because dreams often provide impetus, forcing growth. Dreams build your faith, but they also build your skills and abilities.

If you dream of being a teacher, you will have to return to school and earn a teaching certificate. If you dream of revitalizing a struggling organization, you must first learn new aspects of organizational leadership. It is impossible to build a big, audacious dream without the dream pushing you to grow and learn.

The more experienced and equipped you are, the more you can do for God. Don't wait to be fully equipped before you dare to dream. Start now. Dream big. Then grab hold of the dream and the dream will propel you to become the equipped power tool God needs you to be.

* * *
A big dream will push you to grow and learn, to build your skills and abilities. What "growth" steps do you need to take this year to accomplish your dream? Make a list. Share it with a friend who is willing to encourage you in your process and hold you accountable for your action steps.
* * *
 
Devotions taken from the
"Power for Life Daily Devotional."
 
 
GOD BLESS US ALL!
Many who plan to seek God at the 11th hour, die at 10:30    -Unknown
http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com

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