Any parent knows how desperate the father of the afflicted child must have been as he approached our Lord, having already approached Jesus’ apostles and been disappointed. As parents, we spend much of our time in prayer on behalf of our children: for their health, virtue, vocations, possible future spouses, holiness, etc. When our children suffer or fall, we feel the same desperation of the man in this gospel, imploring God’s help. This humble father is a powerful reminder for us that when we approach Jesus with sincerity and humility, even a simple prayer asking for God’s pity can lead to tremendous healing and the banishment of demons.

Because of the intercession of his father, the lunatic boy experiences healing. Because of his son, the father grows closer to Christ. His faith yields graces and greater faith not only for his son but also for himself.

For the first several years of motherhood, I thought it was my job to get my children to heaven. And it is! It is certainly incumbent upon parents to form their children to be fearless and virtuous defenders of Christ. But what I have come to appreciate more fully as my children are growing is how they are uniquely effective at increasing my faith and pushing me to humble and fervent prayer.

For their sake, I find myself surrendering to God more willingly as I come to realize that I can do nothing without the mercy and grace of God. My children are the ones getting me to heaven. I beg for the intercession of the saints. And unlike the father of the lunatic boy, we are not disappointed now when we ask for the intercession of the blessed apostles—because while Jesus chastised them for their lack of faith when they were on earth, their faith is now perfected in heaven, and nothing is impossible for them.