Gospel
Matthew 17:14-20
14 A man came up to Jesus, knelt down before him, 15 and said, “Lord, have pity on my son, who he is a lunatic and suffers severely; often he falls into fire, and often into water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him.” 17 Jesus said in reply, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring the boy here to me.” 18 Jesus rebuked him and the demon came out of him, and from that hour the boy was cured. 19 Then the disciples approached Jesus in private and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Historical Background
This passage follows the Transfiguration where Jesus revealed His divine glory to Peter, James, and John. Upon descending the mountain, Jesus encounters a crowd and a desperate father whose son suffers from seizures—described as being “moonstruck,” a term often associated with epilepsy or demonic possession. The disciples had previously been given authority to heal and cast out demons, yet they failed in this instance, revealing a crisis of faith.
Theological Context
Jesus rebukes the disciples and the crowd as a “faithless and perverse generation,” echoing Deuteronomy 32, where Moses laments Israel’s spiritual rebellion. The healing of the boy is not just a miracle—it’s a lesson in spiritual authority and dependence on God.
Jesus emphasizes that faith, even as small as a mustard seed, can move mountains. This metaphor was common in Jewish teaching to describe overcoming impossible obstacles. Theologically, this passage underscores the necessity of genuine faith rooted in humility and dependence on God, and failure of self-reliance in spiritual matters.
Learning Lessons
Faith is not performance-based. The disciples may have relied on past success or status, but Jesus calls for a deeper, enduring trust. Spiritual authority requires spiritual intimacy. Power in ministry flows from connection with Christ, not technique.
Jesus meets us in our failures: He doesn’t abandon the disciples but corrects and teaches them. Even small faith is powerful. The mustard seed metaphor reminds us that God honors sincere, even fragile, belief.
“Mustard Seed”
A mountain looms, the valley cries,
A father pleads with tear-stained eyes.
The boy convulses, tossed by flame,
The crowd looks on, unsure who’s to blame.
The ones who walked with healing grace,
Now falter in this sacred place.
But Jesus speaks, His voice is clear,
“Bring him to Me, I’m always near.”
A whisper of faith, a mustard seed,
Is all it takes for God to lead.
Not strength, not pride, nor lofty claim,
But trust in One who knows our name.
So when your prayers seem weak or small,
Remember: faith can conquer all.
The mountain moves, the soul is freed—
By Christ who meets our deepest need.
Lord Jesus,
You who descended from glory to meet us in our brokenness, we come to You like the father in the crowd—desperate, weary, and hopeful.
Forgive us for the times we’ve relied on our own strength, for the moments we’ve doubted Your power and presence. Plant in us the mustard seed of faith. Let it grow—not for our glory, but for Yours. Teach us to trust You even when healing delays, even when mountains seem immovable.
Rebuke the unbelief within us and replace it with a heart that leans wholly on You. You are our healer, our teacher, our Savior. In Your name, we find mercy, correction, and hope.
Amen.
Pericope
V: Jesus, the Kingdom, and the Church
THE HEALING OF A BOY WITH A DEMON
Matthew 17:14-21
Gospel Acclamation
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life to light through the Gospel.
Reflection Source:
Conversation with Copilot
