One-upmanship
- Gary Fritsch
- Feb 24
- 1 min read
From a very young age, we learn the dreaded art of one-upmanship. You ate five
Oreos? I once ate ten. You were sick for one week; I was down for two. Some of this is genuine sharing of similar experiences, and on the other end, well let's just say there was some creative remembering going on.
Somehow, we know that there is always room for one more, especially if it will bring us out on top. We see a slightly disguised game of one-upmanship in today's Gospel. The apostles find themselves unable to cast out a demon, and Jesus is asked to 'one-up' them "if he can." Jesus is a bit incredulous and tells the father that "Everything is possible to one who has faith."
Here is where the really important one-upping happens. The father cries out: "I do believe, help my unbelief!" He wants to one-up his own level of belief, but he doesn't know how, so he asks for help. Like us, he senses that THERE IS always another level. His intuition is right, particularly when it comes to belief. Our belief, while we are in this world will always be something less than complete. There will always be another level.
This should not be interpreted as a frustration, like never reaching the top, but rather something wonderful - a never-ending adventure - always something more. Like the experience of the father, belief continues to bring about new levels of joy, which begets greater belief. Be eager to start this one-upping and ask the Lord to help your unbelief.
Comments