A baptismal homily after Transfiguration

Our Lord, as he comes down from the Mount of Transfiguration with Peter, James, and John, comes face to face with his disciples’ failure. He heals the epileptic boy by casting out the demon they could not, then explains to them that “this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” While it’s not clear why the disciples were not able to cast out this particular demon and heal the boy, it seems likely that their faith failed, in this case, because they felt abandoned by Jesus—as they had when Jesus was asleep in the boat. In that case, as in this, he rebukes them for their lack of faith. But, of course, they were not abandoned by him: he showed up, and got up, and came down precisely when they needed him to, as he always does, and saved the day, the boy, and them—as he does with us. Which is why we need to and ought to fast and pray and have faith in his presence and in his love for us.

Scripture readings referenced:

* Matthew 17:14-23

* Matthew 8:23-27

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