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The disciples of Jesus attempted to cure an epileptic (Matt 17:14-20). But they did not succeed. The failed terribly. Before this episode, they had already cured many people cured many people, sent away many demons, and performed many miracles. But on this particular occasion, they failed. They were a little bit disturbed and befuddled.
The disciples did something admirable, something worth emulating- they inquired about the cause of their failure. They had a strong desire to know the cause of their failure. Why did we fail? What went wrong? Why could we not cast it out?
The disciples were keenly aware of the fact that knowledge of the cause of their failure is vital to prevent the occurrence of the same failure. Cicero says to stumble on the same stone twice is a proverbial disgrace. The disciples did not want to stumble on the same stone twice. Hence, they approached Jesus to know the cause of their failure.
We observe that the disciple of Jesus asked for his help as soon as they got the chance. There was no room for delay, for dragging their feet, for procrastination. They also approached Jesus despite their embarrassment and shame. Embarrassment and shame did not prevent them from gaining vital information that may preserve them from future errors.
There are many feckless people who stumble on the same stone twice- those who make the same mistakes over and over again and who do not make effort to know the cause of their failure. Some people look for otiose excuses for their frequent failure. They constantly blame everybody and everything for their mistakes except themselves. Those who will not make effort to know the cause of their failure.
Our universe is regulated by the principle of cause and effect. There is no effect without a cause. It is useless to complain and lament about the effect without making effort to know the cause of the effect. Our failures, setbacks and challenges in life have their causes. We need to make conscientious efforts to discover the true cause of our failure and strive to avoid the cause or overcome it.
Without the knowledge of the cause of our failure, we will stumble on the same stone twice. Progress will be far away from us, positive change will elude us, and success will leave us behind. Knowledge is the solution. Knowledge is the salvation.
