August 21, 2011: Can and Will – Michael Hidalgo

In the beginning of the Mark’s gospel we meet a leper who says to Jesus, “If you are willing, you can …” Now we meet a father who says, “If you can do anything …” One believes and the other is unsure. Perhaps this is because this fellow has exhausted possibilities. He is desperate to rescue his son. He has tried, time and time again, but nothing seemed to work. 

So he, in exasperated desperation says to Jesus – “Can you do something?” Isn’t this a prayer we have all prayed? So many times there has been some frustration to our prayers, after we have tried everything, asking “God, can you do something?” Jesus says, “I can if you believe.” Which makes one wonder, do things happen only for those who believe? Can we will something to happen? Or does God work despite of our disbelief?