Today's Gospel with comment: February 24, 2020

From the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Mark 9,14-29.
At that time, Jesus came down from the mountain and came to the disciples, saw them surrounded by a large crowd and by scribes who discussed with them.
The whole crowd, upon seeing him, was taken in wonder and ran to greet him.
And he asked them, "What are you arguing with them about?"
One of the crowd answered him: «Master, I brought my son to you, possessed by a silent spirit.
When he grabs it, he throws it to the ground and he foams, grits his teeth and stiffens. I have told your disciples to drive him away, but they have not succeeded ».
He then replied to them, "O unbelieving generation! How long will I be with you? How long will I have to put up with you? Bring it to me. '
And they brought it to him. At the sight of Jesus the spirit shook the boy with convulsions and he, falling on the ground, rolled foaming.
Jesus asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he replied, "From childhood;
in fact, he often threw it even into fire and water to kill him. But if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us ».
Jesus said to him: «If you can! Everything is possible for those who believe ».
The boy's father replied aloud: "I believe, help me in my unbelief."
Then Jesus, seeing the crowd running, threatened the unclean spirit saying: "Dumb and deaf spirit, I order you, get out of him and never come back in".
And shouting and shaking him hard, he came out. And the boy became as dead, so that many said, "He is dead."
But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up and he stood up.
Then he entered a house and the disciples asked him in private: "Why couldn't we drive him out?"
And he said to them, "This kind of demons cannot be cast out in any way, except through prayer."

Erma (2nd century)
The Shepherd, Ninth precept
«Help me in my unbelief»
Remove the uncertainty from you and do not absolutely doubt asking God, saying in yourself: "How can I ask and receive from the Lord having sinned a lot against him?". Do not think like this, but with all your heart turn to the Lord and pray to him firmly, and you will know his great mercy, because he will not abandon you, but he will perform the prayer of your soul. God is not like men who hold grudges, he does not remember offenses and has compassion for his creature. Meanwhile, purify your heart from all the vanities of this world, from evil and sin (...) and ask the Lord. You will receive everything (...), if you ask with full confidence.

If you are hesitant in your heart, you will not get any of your requests. Those who doubt God are undecided and get nothing out of their demands. (...) Those who doubt, unless they convert, will hardly save themselves. So purify your heart from doubt, put on faith, which is strong, believe in God and you will get all the requests you make. If it happens that it is late to fulfill some request, do not fall into doubt because you do not immediately get the request of your soul. Delay is to make you grow in faith. You, therefore, do not tire of asking how much you desire. (...) Beware of doubt: it is terrible and senseless, it eradicates many believers from faith, even those who were very determined. (...) Faith is strong and powerful. Faith, in fact, promises everything, accomplishes everything, while doubt, because it lacks trust, reaches nothing.