Daily Gospel Reflection for February 20, 2023

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

"I do believe, help my unbelief!" Matthew 9:24

There was a woman who asked her husband if he would take charge of homework and getting their three kids to bed for six Tuesday evenings so she could attend a bible study at church. He told her he would be happy to but instead of taking another class maybe she could first apply what she’d already learned in her previous many bible study experiences. After overcoming her overwhelming desire to kick him in the shins, she came to the painful realization that he was right. She admitted that knowing Gospel teaching and living Gospel teaching were very different.

It would be so easy to read today's Gospel and look at the father and think, oh my, that would never be me. For heaven's sake, if Jesus came to my sick child of course I’d have faith in His love and healing power, but the more I wade through this journey toward Jesus the more I realize I need to repeat the exact words of that father. I believe in the easy moments, when things are going well and I’m nestled in the warm and fuzzy glow of the Father's grace, I have and demonstrate great faith, but what about the forty dozen other moments a day when I doubt or try to control or act first and pray second? Those are the ones I need to be like that father. How often I want faith to believe things will go the way I want instead of the kind of reckless abandon faith the father pleaded for. Lord, don’t scold me for my lack of faith but lift me up in my moments of doubt. Lord, help me apply what I know to be true about Your mercy and faithfulness.

Ponder:

When is it hard to believe in the never ending, unrelenting power of the Father? What are the things in life that lead you to doubt or rely on yourself instead of running into the arms of Jesus?

Pray:

Dear Jesus, help me rely on Your mercy and love. In my moments of doubt and despair, help my unbelief as You flood me with Your Holy Spirit, Who will lead me to the truth of Your faithfulness.