First Reading (Eccl 1,1-10).
Beginning of the Book of Ecclesiasticus.
All wisdom comes from the Lord God. She was and is always with Him. Who can count the sand of the sea, the drops of rain, the days of the weather? Who can measure the height of the sky, the extent of the earth, the depth of the abyss? Wisdom was created before all things, prudent intelligence comes from eternity. Source of wisdom is the word of God in the highest heavens and his ways are the eternal commandments. To whom was the root of wisdom revealed? Who knew the capabilities of his ingenuity? The science of wisdom, to whom was it revealed? And who understood his great experience? Only one is the most high, omnipotent creator, powerful king and one to be greatly feared, sitting on his throne and dominating everything, God. He is the one who created it in the holy spirit: He saw it, numbered it and measured it; he poured it out on all his works and on every human being, according to his goodness. He grants it to those who fear him.
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
Gospel (Mark 9,14-29).
Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, when Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James and John and approached the other disciples, they saw that they were surrounded by a large crowd. Some Law masters were arguing with them. As soon as the crowd saw Jesus, they were surprised and ran to greet him. Jesus asked his disciples, “What do you argue with them?” Someone from the crowd responded, “Master, I have brought to you my son who has a mute spirit. Every time the spirit attacks him, it throws him to the ground and he begins to foam, grinds his teeth and becomes completely stiff. I asked the your disciples to drive out the spirit. But they couldn’t.” Jesus said, “O unbelieving generation! How long will I be with you? How long will I have to bear with you? Bring the child here.” And they took the boy to him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it violently shook the boy, who fell to the ground and began to roll and foam at the mouth. Jesus asked his father, “Since when has he been like this?” The father replied: “Since he was a child. And many times, the spirit has thrown him into fire and water to kill him. If you can do anything, have mercy on us and help us.” Jesus said: “If you can!… Everything is possible for those who have faith.” The boy’s father said in a loud voice, “I have faith, but my lack of faith helps.” Jesus saw that the crowd was coming to him. Then he ordered the unclean spirit: “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you to leave the boy and never enter him again.” The spirit shook the boy violently, screamed and left. The boy looked like he was dead, and that’s why everyone said: “He’s dead!” But Jesus took the boy’s hand, lifted him up, and the boy stood. After Jesus entered the house, the disciples asked him alone, “Why can’t we cast out the spirit?” Jesus replied, “This kind of demon cannot be cast out in any way except by prayer.”
— Word of Salvation.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, it is with great joy that we gather today to reflect on the Word of God, which always brings us light, comfort and direction. In today’s gospel and in the reading of Ecclesiasticus, we find profound themes about wisdom, faith and divine power, which can transform our lives in profound and permanent ways.
Let’s start by reflecting on wisdom. The first reading, from the book of Ecclesiasticus, tells us about the greatness of the wisdom that comes from God. The author states: “All wisdom comes from the Lord and is with Him forever” (Eccl 1:1). This simple phrase, loaded with meaning, reminds us of something very important: wisdom is not a human achievement, it is not something that we can achieve by our own strength or intelligence. True wisdom comes from God and is available to everyone who seeks it with a sincere heart.
Let us imagine that wisdom is like a leafy tree. Its roots are firmly planted in the soil of our faith in God, and its branches stretch toward the sky, receiving the light and grace of the Lord. True wisdom, like this tree, grows from the inside out. It is nourished by the relationship with God and manifests itself in our actions, words and decisions. It is not an intellectual or worldly wisdom, but a wisdom that leads us to truth, peace and love.
This wisdom is not reserved for a few, but is a gift generously offered to all who seek. “Wisdom is the spirit that loves men” (Eccl 1:10). Divine wisdom is something living, pulsating, that is available to everyone, regardless of our background or social condition. But, for it to reveal itself in us, it is necessary that we have a humble heart and a willingness to learn, to welcome the Lord’s teachings and to live in accordance with them.
It is this wisdom that we rely on when we face life’s challenges, when we feel weak, confused or lost. God’s wisdom is the light that illuminates our paths in the darkness of doubt and insecurity. She teaches us to live with discernment, to make choices that bring us closer to God and help us serve others.
And now, brothers and sisters, let’s turn to the passage from Mark’s gospel, where Jesus teaches us a powerful lesson about faith. The gospel presents us with a dramatic scenario: a man approaches Jesus with his son possessed by an evil spirit, which constantly torments him. The father, desperate, asks Jesus for help: “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us” (Mc 9,22).
Jesus’ answer is firm and direct: “If you can! All things are possible to him who believes” (Mc 9,23). Jesus challenges us not to limit God’s power by our lack of faith. He is not saying that we can do anything in our own power, but that when we fully trust God, He can do the impossible in our lives. True faith is that which believes that God is capable of acting in any situation, even when everything seems lost.
Let’s imagine that our faith is like a small seed. A seed that, apparently, is nothing, but that contains the potential to become a leafy tree, full of fruits. This is the faith that Jesus asks of us. It doesn’t matter the size of our faith, but the willingness to believe that God can do the work He wants in our lives.
The father, after hearing these words from Jesus, responds: “I believe, Lord! Help my lack of faith!” (Mc 9,24). This is the prayer of all of us, because, often, our faith is small, full of doubts and uncertainties. But it is in this moment of fragility that Jesus acts with power, healing the son and showing the father that faith, even if small, when placed in God, is enough to perform miracles.
How many times in our lives do we find ourselves like that father, saying, “Lord, I believe, but help my lack of faith”? Sometimes we are overcome by fear, by insecurity, by pain, and we wonder if God can really act in our situation. It is in this moment of fragility that we must fully trust in the power of God. He can transform our difficulties, heal our wounds, and restore our lives.
Now, let’s think about what it means to have faith. Faith is not simply believing in something we cannot see, but trusting someone: God. Faith leads us to act, to live in a way that reflects the trust we have in the Lord. When we trust God, our lives become a testimony of His goodness, His power, and His faithfulness.
Faith, like wisdom, is not something we can achieve by our own efforts. It is a gift from God, given to us when we open our hearts and minds to Him. Sometimes, we need a “little push”, as the father of the possessed boy gives us: “Help my lack of faith”. God is always willing to help us in our weakness, to strengthen us in doubt and to guide us in moments of darkness.
So, brothers and sisters, what is the practical application of this message to our lives today? First, let’s ask God to grant us wisdom. Not the wisdom of the world, which teaches us to conquer, to have more, to be more, but the wisdom that comes from God, which teaches us to live with justice, kindness and humility. The wisdom that leads us to see the world through the eyes of Christ, always seeking to do good and promote love.
Secondly, let’s cultivate faith in God, even in times of difficulty. When the winds of adversity blow hard, when pain and uncertainty engulf us, may we look to Christ and say, “I believe, Lord! Help my lack of faith!” And in doing so, we place our lives in His hands, trusting that He has the power to heal, restore, and transform.
Finally, may we live as living witnesses of God’s wisdom and faith in our lives. Every act of kindness, every word of comfort, every gesture of love is a way of showing the world that God’s wisdom is not just something we read in the Bible, but something that must be lived in every moment of our lives.
Let us now, together, say a prayer, asking God for the grace to live with wisdom and faith.
Lord, we praise You and thank You for Your infinite wisdom, which illuminates our path. We ask that You grant us the gift of wisdom, so that we can live according to Your will, always seeking good and justice. Lord, increase our faith, especially in times of doubt and difficulty. May we trust You with all our hearts, knowing that, in You, all things are possible. In the name of Jesus, our Savior. Amen.
Brothers and sisters, as we leave here today, let us remember that wisdom and faith are the greatest treasures we can seek. May we be faithful witnesses of God’s greatness, living with wisdom and faith, and showing the world the transforming power of His love. Amen.
