Saturday after Epiphany
“We know that anyone begotten by God does not sin; but the one begotten by God he protects, and the Evil One cannot touch him.” What does this saying mean for us Christians who profess faith in the one true God and His Son who brings us salvation? To be honest, at first glance, it makes me nervous because I am not free from sin. Does this mean I am not a child of God or that I am not protected from the Evil One? I think it means that I am still growing in my faith and that even though I believe, though the grace of my baptism, that I am loved by God, my belief and faith are not perfect.
I am reminded of the words of the father whose son was possessed by a demon when he replied to Jesus, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) It is true that through our baptism, we become the begotten children of God. But we still fall short. I think we can fear giving everything we have—our hearts, minds, and souls—over to Jesus but we remember that Jesus has given up everything for us. We are told in the beginning of the first reading that, “We have this confidence in him that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” Do we have the confidence to ask for a pure faith? Can we ask for the strength to give him our all? Can we ask for the patience of Christ with ourselves when we fear to ask these questions? When we fall short we can say, with full knowledge of the love and mercy of God, “Lord have mercy on me, a sinner.” (Luke 18:13) And “I do believe, help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)
Reflection by Br. Placid Dale, OSB
Posted in Articles for Christmas, Daily Reflections