A reading from the gospel according to John 4:43-54:
43 At that time Jesus left [Samaria] for Galilee.
44 For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his native place.
45 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.
46 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.
47 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.
48 Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.”
49 The royal official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”
50 Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus said to him and left.
51 While the man was on his way back, his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live.
52 He asked them when he began to recover. They told him, “The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.”
53 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.
54 Now this was the second sign Jesus did when he came to Galilee from Judea.
Reflection: Faith works miracles.
In the gospel passage above, we witness a remarkable story of faith and healing that transcends the bounds of physical presence. After two days of ministry in Samaria, Jesus returns to Galilee, where He is welcomed by the Galileans. Among them is a royal official whose son is severely ill in Capernaum. Upon hearing of Jesus’ arrival, the official seeks Him out, pleading desperately for Jesus to heal his son, who is on the brink of death.
Jesus’ response to the official, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe,” is not a rebuke but a profound observation of human nature’s tendency to seek tangible proof of divine power. Yet, it’s the official’s unwavering faith that stands out; his plea, “Sir, come down before my child dies,” is a testament to his belief in Jesus’ ability to heal, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
Jesus’ assurance, “Go, your son will live,” is a powerful declaration of healing that requires no physical presence—only faith. The official’s decision to take Jesus at His word and return home, finding his son healed, illustrates a pivotal moment of trust and belief.
This story is a beautiful reminder of the power of faith and the importance of believing in God’s word and promises. It teaches us that faith is not about seeing but believing with conviction in what we cannot see. It challenges us to trust in God’s timing and His ability to work miracles in our lives, even when His ways are beyond our understanding.
Let this story inspire us to cultivate a faith that does not falter in the face of trials but grows stronger, knowing that with God, all things are possible. May we learn to seek not just His miracles but His presence in our lives, finding peace and assurance in His unwavering love and power.
*****Once again, the power of faith is demonstrated in our story about the healing of the official’s son. The father knows whom to approach for divine help. He believed in the power of Jesus to heal. When Jesus told him that his son would live, he did not have any doubt. When his son was healed, the whole household believed.
The royal official is not only full of faith. He is also full of love. He loved his son very much. When his son got seriously sick with a high fever, he took time off from work to seek healing for him. He is indeed a model father and a kind man as can be seen from the respect and obedience his whole household gives him.
Just as the father interceded for his son, the gospel reading above teaches us to make ourselves available to intercede or to give help to anyone in need. If we have faith as small as a mustard seed, our intercession will be granted.
For further reflection: go here.
