Today (March 28), I had the honor of writing the Gospel reflection for CatholicMom.com. Of all the benefits of belonging to the CatholicMom community, being asked to write these reflections is among my favorites. I am awed by the Holy Spirit’s inspiration as I ponder His Word. And it is always a privilege to be able to share those thoughts with you and other readers.
Today’s Gospel was taken from John 4:43-54. A royal official, upon hearing that Jesus is in Cana, sets out on foot to beg Jesus to come to his home. His son is dying, and the official hopes that Jesus will cure his boy. Way beyond the father’s imagination, but not beyond his belief, Jesus simply speaks the words of healing. The man heads back home trusting that the words Jesus has spoken will be fulfilled.
The healing of the royal official’s son, St. John tells us, is the second sign that Jesus performed at Cana. The first of course was the miracle at the wedding feast, where Jesus turned water into wine. Both of these miracles required lots of trust.
The servants at the wedding feast had to trust Jesus enough to take the jugs they filled with water to the steward who was expecting wine. As we know, their act of faith was rewarded as the steward declared, “You have kept the good wine until now” (Jn 2:10).
In today’s Gospel, the distraught father travels over a day’s journey to ask Jesus to cure his dying son. Hoping against hope, he begs Jesus to come with him to his home in Capernaum. At first, Jesus seems to deny his request, but the devoted father persists. It is important to continue to pray, even if it seems that Jesus is not listening to you. He is; He just may not be finished with you yet!
Jesus puts the man to another test. He tells the man to go home, declaring that his son will live. The official turns around and, without Jesus in tow, heads home. Can you imagine just walking away?
Oh, what trust that is! Blindly, without fully knowing if it’s true, he does what Jesus tells him to do. This is the trust Jesus asks of us.
We must persist in prayer, true. Pray without ceasing, as St. Paul says, but with a sense of surrender, knowing that God has already answered our prayers. The situation is under control because, ultimately, Jesus is in control. Trust in Him. Trust in His love for you.
With what is Jesus asking you to trust Him? Let us pray: Lord Jesus, You are worthy of all my trust. Help me to surrender myself, my family, and all that is dear to me to You. Amen.