“Nothing would be impossible for you.” (Matt. 17:20)

Because the disciples could not cure the possessed boy (The gospel of Mark described him as possessing a mute spirit*), his father begged Jesus to cure him. Jesus’ first reaction to the disciples was: “What an unbelieving and perverse lot you are! How long must I remain with you? How long can I endure you?”

St. Mark described the incident in even more details: The father said to Jesus: “If out of the kindness of your heart you can do anything to help us, please do!”

Jesus said: “’If you can’? Everything is possible to a man who trusts. The boy’s father immediately exclaimed, ‘I do believe! Help my lack of trust!’” (See Mark 9:22-24)

This father’s reaction is impressionable. It is not that he did not believe, but he still asked for Jesus’ help to trust more.

Arriving home, Jesus told his disciples: “Because you have so little trust, I assure you, if you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you would be able to say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible for you.” (Matt. 17:20)

Faith is a free gift presented to us by God. If we wish to use it sensibly and keep this faith, please listen to what Jesus advised his disciples: “This kind does not leave but by prayer and fasting.”

According to Don Bosco Bible Society, “prayer and fasting” are the symbol of faith.

(*The gospel often described those who were sick as being possessed. The sick might not be possessed, but because they were usually weak, demons liked to get close to them, waiting for the opportunity to tempt them to leave God. Of course, there were those who were really possessed.)