Homily on Matthew 17:14–20 :”Why Could We Not Cast It Out?” (9-8-10)

Praise be to Jesus Christ

There was once a young man in a village who wanted to climb a coconut tree. He had watched others doing it many times. Confidently, he took off his slippers, rolled up his pants, and ran toward the tree. Halfway up, he slipped and fell. Ashamed, he looked around to see who had seen him. An old man sitting nearby smiled gently and said, “You watched others climbing, but you never learned from them. You trusted only your strength, not their wisdom.”

In today’s Gospel, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why could we not cast it out?” It was a simple question, but filled with pain. They had failed in front of others. They had tried, but they could not help the suffering boy. Instead of pretending or giving excuses, they turned to Jesus and asked honestly. That is the beginning of real growth. Asking when we do not know, and learning from those who know better.

In family life too, there are moments when we try and fail. A husband may be excellent at earning money but may not know how to cook. A wife may be great at keeping the home in order but may not know how to manage the bank account. A parent may know how to give rules but may not know how to win the heart of a child. And sometimes, like the young man who climbed the coconut tree without learning, we try to do things on our own, thinking we already know. And we fall.

That is why today’s Gospel is so important. It teaches us that failure is not the end. It is an invitation to ask, to learn, and to grow. The disciples were not weak because they asked Jesus. In fact, they became strong because they were humble enough to ask. This provided them to reflect upon themselves and improve greater. In many homes, problems become worse because we are filled with pride and ego to ask each other. The husband struggles silently. The wife carries everything alone. Children feel misunderstood. And slowly, love dries up. No human being is perfect. We are supposed to live in complementarity. My weakness is strengthened by the strength of my fellow being and their weakness is supported  by my strength.

But imagine a home where the husband says, “I do not know how to handle this. Can you help me?” Or the wife says, “I don’t understand your silence. Will you help me understand you better?” Or the parents tell their children “Teach us how to walk with you in your struggles.” That home becomes like a small school of love. Everyone grows by learning from each other. The phrase “the child is the father of the man” by William Wordsworth reminds to learn from others without looking their status. Man is a student from womb to tomb.

Even Moses, a great leader in the Old Testament, listened to the advice of his father-in-law Jethro when he was overburdened (Exodus 18:13–27). He accepted help. He changed his way. That made him wiser. Saints too were never afraid to ask. St. Therese of Lisieux would often say she learned more by listening than by doing. Asking is not weakness. It is wisdom. St. James writes: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1/5). 

And sometimes, the one who teaches us may be someone younger, quieter, or less educated. But God often speaks through them. A child may teach patience. A poor person may teach gratitude. A spouse may teach forgiveness. If we stop pretending to know everything, we begin to see God’s hand in others.

Let us not be ashamed to ask. Not be proud to pretend that I know everything. Be like the disciples who came close to Jesus and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” That one question opened their hearts to receive more than power. It gave them wisdom. And that wisdom can heal our families too.

Lord Jesus, teach me to ask with humility, listen with love, and learn with trust.

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God Bless..