Rooted in Faith

A Post by Steve Botsford

“So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,
apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.
He was amazed at their lack of faith.” Mark 6:6

Every day we are presented with opportunities to question and think critically. It may be a situation that someone else presents or, in fact, may be something we face directly. Let me explain.

Recently, I read about a long time school principal that pled guilty to embezzlement of school funds. Apparently, he had served flawlessly as an educator for many years, growing in responsibility, and rising in the ranks. In his new role, however, he found himself with access to school funds. Experiencing personal financial hardships, he made the decision to skim money, which led to several years of the same activity.

There are so many lessons here but is it not true that we are all faced with temptations every day? Temptations may vary in penalty but are equally rooted in a lack of faith. Recently, my 15-year-old daughter woke up late and missed the bus. This is hardly an equal temptation compared with embezzlement, but potentially as poisonous just the same. I questioned her responsibility, ability to take school seriously, and priorities. I was tempted to make her stay home as a punishment. I then asked a different set of questions. How could I best help her, by punishing her or taking her to school?

In today’s gospel Jesus is teaching in the Synagogue on the Sabbath. Some who heard him asked where he got this knowledge, what kind of wisdom was this and what great things would come. Others recognized him as the carpenter’s son, son of Mary and identified him as a local. The first set of questions were built on faith yet the second came from doubt and lack of faith.

Perhaps the school principal could have had faith and asked God for help but took the situation into his own hands. Today, let us think critically about the everyday situations we face and identify the questions that are rooted in doubt and ask the ones rooted in faith.

Steve Botsford holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and a Master of Religious Education from Loyola University, New Orleans. Steve was received into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church in 2009 and is a former parish youth minister in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, GA. Steve is married with three children and is the creator of FeastDay, the Liturgical Year Board Game.