Daily Gospel Reflection for August 12, 2017

Today's Gospel: Matthew 17:14-20

Back in Chapter 10 of the book of Matthew, Jesus commissioned the twelve apostles. After giving them the authority to drive out unclean spirits and cure every disease and illness, He sent them forth to do His Father's work.

Day in and day out, for seven chapters, they apparently did well. That is, until they come to the boy with the demon. Suddenly, they can't seem to carry out their mission and expel the demon. Not understanding why, they approach Jesus for the answer.

We all get to the point where the disciples got. We live our lives, day in and day out, completing the work set in front of us: raising our children, earning a living, trying to make the world a better place.

But then it happens: that insurmountable obstacle gets thrown in our path. No matter how hard we try, we can't seem to overcome it. We lose confidence in ourselves, and we're left feeling defeated, like the disciples.

It isn't until we approach Jesus in private prayer that we realize our mistake: we have "miss-placed" our faith. We have taken it away from God, and have placed it in ourselves. Having coasted through the easy times, we've fooled ourselves into believing that we have everything under control.

Having faith in only ourselves will always leave us faltering when a demon of a challenge comes our way. When we correct our mistake, and put our faith back in God, no matter how small that faith is, He will move mountains on our behalf.

[Tweet "Do I put faith in myself when I face a problem, rather than in God? By Claire McGarry"]

Ponder:

Am I guilty of putting faith in myself when I face a problem, rather than putting it in God? When I do, does that lead to success, or failure?

Pray:

God, help me to remember You are the rock I am supposed to build my life on, not myself. When I have forgotten, and things seem to keep going wrong, bring me back to You.