God’s words ARE action. Do we believe them? - reflex on Jn 4:43-54
The cure in today’s Gospel is not the most spectacular ofJesus’ miracles, certainly. At first glance, it seems rather un-spectacular: noconversation with demons, no mud in the eyes, no lifeless corpse or grievingmother. Just a public official asking Jesus to come and cure his little boy.And Jesus’ answer is also rather un-spectacular: “You may go; your son willlive.” It is anti-climactic, almost dismissive.
The Gospel stories are like this sometimes – it requiressome energy and attention on our part to see what’s really happening. Here, wehave a royal official humbling himself (Romancourts were usually not full of particularly religious people) and risking somelevel of ridicule to travel 20 miles to ask Jesus to cure his son. We canimagine that there was at least a momentary internal struggle before thisofficial decided to set out on his journey. Should he leave his son’s bedsidefor several days and take the chance? Would it be worth the trip? Would wordget out and his well-groomed reputation be at risk? Would this rabbi even hearhis request?
Ultimately, the official is driven to seek Jesus by hishelplessness in this situation and his love for his son. He finds Jesus andsubmits his fear and hope to him, asking him for healing. Jesus does not needmany words or dramatic actions to accomplish his mighty works; he is God, andhis word IS action. So, he simply tells the official that his son will live. Inthat very moment, the son is healed.
The verse from this Gospel that should cause us to pause, tomeditate, even to examine our consciences, is the one that comes immediatelyafter Jesus’ words: “The man believed what Jesus said to him.” He did notdemand proof or signs or wonders. He believed and then he left, even though hewould not receive confirmation of his belief until the next day, when hisservants told him that the fever had left the boy just at the time Jesus hadspoken.
This somewhat un-spectacular event has a spectacular ending:because of the faith and humility of the official, his son lives and the wholehousehold comes to believe in Jesus.
Are we able to humble ourselves, recognizing ourhelplessness and dependence, and go to Jesus for all our needs? Do we believethe words of Jesus, without signs and wonders? Do we turn to him each day withour whole heart, in faith and trust? Are our spirits open to the surprises ofGod in our daily lives? Do we allow the faith and love and hope in us toradiate to others around us so that they can also come to believe? This Lent,let us each examine our hearts and our attitudes, and let God shine through usto others!