[contents week 7]

WEEK 7 - Day 2
Danger of hindering God's work through unbelief

Introduction
"Blessed are you who have believed", said Elizabeth to Mary.  Through her trusting "yes" and through her readiness, "let it happen to me", she opened herself to the breakthrough of God's reality in her being, in her time and place in the world. (cf. p 48).  Again and again, in no uncertain terms, Jesus praises as blessed those who open themselves in faith to his works. However, these occurrences also have their reverse side which we often overlook in the Gospel. Through our unbelief the work of God is hindered.  We can close ourselves off from the reality of God and thereby close off the living stream of God's fullness that wants to flow through our situation to the world .  From the Gospel of Mark, there comes a word that helps us to ponder this: "And they took offense at him... . .and he could do no mighty work there ... And he marveled because of their unbelief." (6:3-6).  Jesus experienced that in his home town.

Exercice
- Matthew 17:20b ("Nothing will be impossible to you")

Variation
- Matthew 17:14-20 ("Because of your little faith")
Comment: Certainly we achieve many things through  faith in God.  However, it would be completely false to see unoffered prayer as a result of unbelief.  Every offered prayer is and remains the free and unmerited grace of God.

[beginning] [contents section 3] [contents of week 7] [table of contents]
[go on]
 
 
Datenschutz    |    Kontakt    |    Impressum