Fourth Sunday of the Great Fast: St. John Climacus; The Holy Martyr Agapius and the Six Martyrs with him.
Day 28 of the Great Fast.
Hebrews 6:13-20; Ephesians 5:9-19; Mark 9:17-31; Matthew 4:25-5:12.
Read Mark 9:17-31
It is easy to look at the world around us and despair. Questions of the competency and intention of those with authority and responsibility are regularly raised. Further questions regarding the agendas of those raising the questions soon follow. It is a small step from that to looking within and feeling the same way about ourselves. It is not uncommon at some point in our lives to experience what is called the “impostor syndrome” – the self-doubt that comes with thinking that if other people really knew the extent to which we are developing our competency on the fly, they would be appalled.
When Jesus says of his disciples, “O faithless generation, how long am I to bear with you?”, that implies that he is addressing something that is within their capacity to address by faith. He also expects that it is possible for the father of the possessed boy to believe that all things are possible through him. Yet Jesus maintained faithfulness to his mission. Knowing that crowds have their own agendas, he acted quickly to deliver the boy, went inside with his disciples, and journeyed on privately to continue teaching them, the very people he had expressed frustration about.
Frustration is the feeling in the moment of dealing with obstacles; exasperation is the point where annoyance turns into angry exhaustion and makes us want to give up. Jesus expressed the human emotion of frustration but remained faithful to his mission of working with those, like us, of imperfect faith. “And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ…for you are all partakers with me of grace.” (Philippians 1:6-7)