When a Miracle Doesn't Happen

Summary

In this insightful reflection, Father Mike Schmid explores the profound nature of faith through the story of a leper approaching Jesus. He emphasizes that true faith is rooted in trust—trust that God can act and trust even if He chooses not to. This duality of faith, exemplified in the leper's plea, challenges us to embrace a deeper relationship with God, one that persists through hardship and uncertainty. Father Mike encourages viewers to cultivate this resilient faith, reflecting on Christ's own journey of trust amidst suffering, and the transformative power of such faith in our lives.

Takeaways

• 🙏 Faith is fundamentally about trust in God, as demonstrated by the leper's plea to Jesus.
• 📖 Romans 1 connects faith with obedience, suggesting that true faith leads to action.
• 💡 Intellectual belief is a part of faith, but the core of it is deeper trust in God.
• 🌟 The leper's faith shows an amazing depth of trust, acknowledging Jesus' power to heal.
• 💪 There are different levels of faith; one is trusting God to act, and another is trusting Him even if He doesn't.
• 🌧️ This profound faith can endure life's challenges, such as grief, suffering, and loss.
• ✝️ The kind of faith Jesus exemplified is a model for believers, demonstrating resilience in the face of trials.
• 🔗 Faith is a grace from God, and our response should be to trust Him fully.
• 💖 True faith includes a commitment to trust God regardless of circumstances or outcomes.
• 🙌 The message emphasizes that both faith in God's ability and trust in His goodness are essential.

Q & A

What does the leper say to Jesus in Mark's Gospel?

The leper says, 'If you will it, you can make me clean,' demonstrating his faith in Jesus's ability to heal.

How is faith defined in the transcript?

Faith is described as trust, with an emphasis on the obedience that stems from that trust.

What is the relationship between faith and obedience according to the speaker?

The speaker suggests that faith leads to obedience, indicating that true faith manifests in actions aligned with that belief.

What two aspects of faith does the speaker highlight?

The speaker highlights the intellectual aspect of belief and the core aspect of trust in God.

What is the significance of the statement 'and if you don't, I'm still yours'?

This statement represents a deeper level of faith that trusts God regardless of the outcome, showing commitment even in hardship.

Why does the speaker believe this deeper trust is important?

This deeper trust is seen as transformative and capable of enduring life's challenges, such as suffering and loss.

What does the speaker say about the nature of God in relation to faith?

The speaker emphasizes that God is good, and that our faith should remain steadfast even when prayers for miracles are unanswered.

How does the speaker relate the experience of Jesus to human suffering?

The speaker points out that Jesus experienced abandonment and suffering, allowing believers to relate their struggles to His experiences.

What is the speaker's prayer for the audience?

The speaker prays that everyone may embrace the kind of faith that trusts God fully, regardless of circumstances.

What overarching theme does the speaker convey about faith?

The overarching theme is that faith is not just about asking for miracles but trusting in God's goodness and sovereignty in all situations.