Saturday, August 7, 2021-Eighteenth Week of the ordinary of time -Close my eyes, O Lord, to see the wonders of your law-Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew 17, 14-20

Our God is so close to us that we can approach Him, He is not far away, out of sight. Here, a man came to Jesus, pleading for healing for his epileptic son who was suffering so much. A gesture that is possible when one kneels before Him, and he kneels before Him; it means humility, acknowledging inferiority to the one being asked, and not being driven by a proud heart so that the beggar in turn goes astray. We will not be higher than God, but He is the highest and most perfect. Such humility is expressed not only in actions but also in words. This is how this man pleaded with the Lord, "Lord, have mercy on my son." Good words are food but harsh words hurt oneself and hurt others. Will you ask and keep going, what will be the answer? So it is necessary to ask in humility.

We are like this man: when we are hit and suffer so much, we stagger with no way out, even in a daze. Fortunately, Jesus was there, the only One who could be trusted, who did not give up on adversity. Always ready to lend a hand, to save, to free us from all bondage. So even those who cannot be cured by humans can be easily cured. Here it is: remorseful, his epileptic son was taken to the students and he was suffering so much, that they could not cure him. Consider the bond with which Satan binds him: he often falls into the fire, and often into the water. Fire and water never go together. What he gets is really confusing. This is still the case today and we need to pray hard, never give a chance to the Demons, do not trust in stones and trees or other creatures, but rather rely completely on God. Beware of being deceived by many who claim to be good at this and that but it seems to be a tool used by the Demons to strengthen their position against us. Also remember: if the Demons came out of the boy, it was Christ who was supreme, God, the only Good who could not be overcome by evil, a destroyer and a destroyer. Because there is nothing wrong with having the last word.

It is noteworthy that the students' lack of faith did not allow them to cast out demons. Even the students don't have enough faith, but what about ours? Was it not lived or studied but made into a corner or was it only had but discarded, or sold cheaply? Could it be that they are not working, or are they just keeping their ancestral property instead of their own? Thus, it is necessary to believe and study the faith and cultivate it, so that it is not corrupted or lost. So it is not to move mountains that is urgent but let that faith be life. Sometimes faith is weak, especially when we are under trial. So always take strength, that our faith may be firm and steadfast and not be shaken by the passing winds. Amen.