3 February 2016
Memorial of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr
Few things make me feel low like knowing that I have let someone down. The look of disappointment on that person’s face is worse than any punch to the gut I could receive. Today, we see that disappointment in the gospel. At the very end of the reading, we hear that Jesus “was amazed at their lack of faith.” Jesus’ amazement is no passing curiosity. The Greek word used for “amazed” is a strong one–it means to be amazed the way that I might marvel or wonder at a miracle performed right in front of me. Jesus is similarly amazed, but not in a good way. He expected so much more faith from him, and we have let Him down.
Being cynical about humanity is fairly easy. I don’t know if it’s easier to be cynical today than in Jesus’ time, but it certainly isn’t harder. We do wrong, we drop the ball, we bring about the worst of the calamities on the planet. Rinse, wash, repeat. And yet Jesus is amazed at our lack of faith. God is amazed when we do wrong. God who knows us better than we know ourselves expects far better from us. We certainly need help to do what God expects of us, and this is where grace comes in. But it is still something that we can do. God created us for everlasting glory–anything less will let Him down.