Gospel
‘Go; your son will live.’
John 4:43-54
At that time: Jesus departed Samaria for Galilee. (For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honour in his own hometown.) So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast.
So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. So Jesus said to him, ‘Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.’ The official said to him, ‘Sir, come down before my child dies.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your son will live.’ The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering. So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, ‘Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.’ The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, ‘Your son will live.’ And he himself believed, and all his household. This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.
Saint John speaks of signs rather than miracles. The word “sign” refers to something visible to my eyes, yet whose deeper meaning is revealed only through faith. Faith acts like an X-ray, allowing me to discover what is hidden to the naked eye, which turns out to be the deepest truth—the heart of God. My attitude should not be: “I believe because I see,” but rather: “Because I believe, I see.” The official in the Gospel “believed Jesus’ word and set out on his journey.” This is today’s key phrase. Do not doubt, do not fear, believe in Jesus’ word and set out on your journey. You will witness great miracles. We are living proof of this.
Applied to Married Life:
Paul: (Praying with Martha) Lord, please, don’t let me lose my job.
Martha: Lord, I ask you to watch over Paul’s job…
(The next day)
Paul: Lord, please protect me from losing my job. Things look dire; how could I find another job at my age?
Martha: Lord, what will we do if Paul loses his job? How will we manage? Please, Lord, protect us. But let Your will be done, not ours.
(A few months later, Paul is let go from his job)
Paul: I’m disappointed with God. We’ve asked Him so many times, and He hasn’t listened.
Martha: Don’t worry, Paul. God will provide.
(The next day, Martha and Paul meet their friend Theresa in the street)
Theresa: Hey! What are you lovebirds doing here?
Martha: Paul’s lost his job, so we’re taking advantage by having a stroll together.
Theresa: I heard about Paul’s job already. But do you remember when you prayed for unity because Paul was very stressed? God answered your prayers. Lewis was just mentioning the other day—we’ve never seen you two so close.
Martha: Actually, you’re right. Maybe it wasn’t the right job, and we needed this.
Theresa: Trust in the Lord; He never abandons you.
(Now Paul has a new job, yet he and Martha remain closer than ever. Praise be to the Lord.)
Mother,
Mother, we are not afraid because You guide this ship. God’s Spirit leads our lives, and no one loves us more than Him. Open our eyes of faith so we may see the heart of God. Let us participate in divine providence. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.