Daily Reflection – 3/20/2023
Sacred Scripture
At that time Jesus left [Samaria] for Galilee. For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his native place. 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. 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. 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. Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” The royal official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus said to him and left. While the man was on his way back, his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live. He asked them when he began to recover. They told him, “The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.” 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. Now this was the second sign Jesus did when he came to Galilee from Judea. (John 4:43-54)
Reflection
Today’s Gospel is all about faith – solid, unwavering faith. The kind of faith that many do not have.
Yet the events around the world witness to the need for a solid faith. A faith that cries out each day “Lord, I trust in you.”
We need to understand and believe that the grace of faith given to each of us is the rock unto which we need to moor the essence of our lives.
Too often we over-think and question how God is working in our lives and where he is trying to heal and love us. At one point we may believe wholeheartedly in his power to save and heal and a moment later we may completely doubt his love.
Our faith needs to be anchored in both our mind and our emotion.
We know that Jesus lived. Throughout the centuries, many have tried to debunk that and make it a question. But there is too much history that He lived. His life is proven by the thousands of his followers who died for Him as He does for us. Men, women, and children who went to their deaths because they believed.
And believe we must.
Our lives are richer, more powerful and more at peace when our faith is active. An active faith is simply one that is not only present but ALIVE in us. We walk with Jesus, we talk with Jesus, we trust in Jesus.
Faith is not contained in a prayer by itself. Faith is not practiced solely by going to Church. Faith is a constant companion each day of our lives.
Do we only believe in Jesus if He answers our prayers exactly as we request? Or do we trust that, no matter the outcome, our God is there to strengthen us, to guide us, and to lead us home. Do we truly believe that Jesus does gift and grace us?
We need to be open and to listen deeply. Jesus WILL answer our prayer. We need to be open and trust Jesus to bless us and grace us, as we truly need!
We must hold on tightly to our faith in Jesus and never give up no matter what our present circumstances are. Our faith in Jesus is much bigger than any trial or problem that we may face.
Jesus’ miraculous healings show his generous kindness and extravagant love – a love that bends down in response to our misery and wretched condition. Is there any area in your life where you need healing, pardon, change, and restoration? If you seek the Lord with trust and expectant faith, he will not disappoint you. He will meet you more than halfway and give you what you need. The Lord Jesus never refused anyone who put their trust in him. Surrender your doubts and fears, your pride and guilt at his feet, and trust in his saving word and healing love.
Today, right now, is a good time to reflect on your own level of faith and trust. And work to discern the actions of God in your life so that those actions produce greater faith. Cling to Him, believe He loves you, know that He holds the answer you need and seek Him in all things.
He will never leave you.
Prayer of The Day
“Lord, please increase my faith. Help me to see You acting in my life and to discover Your perfect love in all things. As I see You at work in my life, help me to know, with greater certainty, Your perfect love. Jesus, I trust in You.”
Daily Note
John concludes his Gospel by saying, “He and his whole household came to believe.” He helped his family grow to faith that it was precisely Jesus’ healing word that worked the miracle. The Lord Jesus wants us to help us to grow to a similar responsiveness, to walk by his word in faith, to trust in his word, to journey according to his promises.
