GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to John

Jn 4:43-54

At that time Jesus left [Samaria] for Galilee.
For Jesus himself testified
that a prophet has no honor in his native place.
When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him,
since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast;
for they themselves had gone to the feast.

Then he returned to Cana in Galilee,
where he had made the water wine.
Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum.
When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea,
he went to him and asked him to come down
and heal his son, who was near death.
Jesus said to him,
“Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.”
The royal official said to him,
“Sir, come down before my child dies.”
Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.”
The man believed what Jesus said to him and left.
While the man was on his way back,
his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live.
He asked them when he began to recover.
They told him,
“The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.”
The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him,
“Your son will live,”
and he and his whole household came to believe.
Now this was the second sign Jesus did
when he came to Galilee from Judea.

The Gospel of the Lord

Because I believe, I see.

John speaks of signs and not of miracles. The word “sign” refers to something I see with my eyes, but whose profound meaning is only discovered by faith. Faith is like an X-Ray that helps me discover what the eyes do not see, and it turns out to be the deepest, the heart of God. My attitude shouldn’t be: “because I see, I believe,” but rather: “because I believe, I see.” The official mentioned in the Gospel “believed in the word of Jesus and set out on his way.” This is the key phrase of today’s Word, do not doubt, do not be afraid, believe in the word of Jesus and set out on your way. You will see great miracles. We are witnesses to this.

Applied to married life:

Pablo: (Praying with Marta) Lord, please don’t let me lose my job.

Marta: Lord, I pray for Pablo’s job… (The next day).Pablo: Lord, please protect me and don’t let me lose my job. Things are really bad. How will I find another job at my age? Marta: Lord, what will we do if they fire him? How will we live? Please, Lord, protect us. Let not our will but yours be done. (A few months later, Pablo is fired)

Pablo: I’m disappointed with God. So many times we’ve asked Him, and He hasn’t listened.

Marta: Don’t worry, Pablo. He will provide. (The next day, Marta and Pablo meet their friend Teresa on the street)

Teresa: Hey! What are you two lovebirds doing here?

Marta: Pablo lost his job, so we’re taking a walk together.

Teresa: I already knew about Pablo’s job. But do you remember when you prayed for your union because Pablo was very stressed? Well, the Lord heard your prayers. Luis mentioned it to me the other day too. We’ve never seen you so united.

Marta: That’s true. Maybe it wasn’t the best job and we needed this.

Teresa: Trust in the Lord, He will not abandon you. (Now Pablo has another job, but Marta and he are closer than ever. Praise be to the Lord.

Mother,

Mother, we are not afraid because You are steering this ship. The Spirit of the Lord guides our lives, and no one loves us more than Him. Open our eyes of faith, so we may see the Heart of the Lord. Make us participants in Divine providence. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.