Truly Blessed
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled. (Lk 1:45)
In the Gospels, there is a story of a man who came to Jesus asking for help for his son. It seemed that his son was possessed by a demon and the demon was doing frightful things to the boy.
The man, in what appeared to be a final grasp for help said to Jesus, “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
Jesus’ reply was, “‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.”
Whereupon, the man replied, “I do believe, help my unbelief!”
What a strange saying.
Yet, that is what we often say in one way, shape, or form throughout our lives.
We claim to be believers. We claim to have faith in God. We claim to believe that God can do anything. Yet, when we go to Him in prayer, it is often with that same timid, almost unbelieving, type of response: “Um, God, um, I know you’re there. I mean, I think you’re there. I mean, I hope you’re there. Um, God? Are you there?”
That is why the portion of today’s Gospel for this Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is so vibrant: “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
That was Elizabeth’s greeting to Mary when Mary came to visit her and help her in the final months of her pregnancy. Elizabeth, carrying John the Baptist in her womb, was filled with the Holy Spirit when Mary came to visit. She gave Mary praise for believing in God and accepting God’s will for her.
Of course, we know the continuation of that Gospel story. Mary would go on, in effect, to say, “No, I”m not blessed. God is the one who is blessed!”
God speaks to us. He invites us to accept His will for our lives. Do we believe enough to say “Yes” to God?
FAITH ACTION: Are you struggling with your faith? Is the Lord inviting you to something and you are having a hard time with it? Ask for the grace today to accept His holy will. If necessary, embrace the words of the demoniac’s father: “I do believe, help my unbelief!”