John 4:43-54 NRSVue
43When the two days were over, he went from that place to Galilee 44(for Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in the prophet’s own country). 45When he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the festival, for they, too, had gone to the festival.
46Then he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had changed the water into wine. Now there was a royal official whose son lay ill in Capernaum. 47When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” 49The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my little boy dies.” 50Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way. 51As he was going down, his slaves met him and told him that his child was alive. 52So he asked them the hour when he began to recover, and they said to him, “Yesterday at one in the afternoon the fever left him.” 53The father realized that this was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he himself believed, along with his whole household. 54Now this was the second sign that Jesus did after coming from Judea to Galilee.
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Some thoughts on this scripture
Reflection
Jesus reproaches the people who are looking for something sensational. Yet the words of Jesus pack as mighty a punch as any action. The royal official hears the word of Jesus and believes it. Do I believe that the word of Jesus is enough to conquer death and lead to eternal life? I give thanks for the attention I pay to God’s word through Sacred Space.
Reflection
This is the first recorded healing miracle of Jesus. Do I believe in miracles? Especially do I believe that Jesus is “the greatest miracle of the universe: he is all the love of God contained in a human heart and a human face” (Benedict XVI)?