Some people think that faith means doing things without thinking or planning.

 
Reading: 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. John 4:49-50.
 
Good morning, happy Monday, and many blessings my dear family.
 
In today’s Gospel (John 4:43-54) we noticed once again, the power of faith is demonstrated in our story about the healing 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 will 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 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.
 
Also, the royal official demonstrates the manner in which we are to relate to Jesus. The way of faith is to take our questions to Jesus through prayer, worship, and Bible study, and then to obey him as he has revealed himself through the ages while trusting he will answer our questions along the way.
 
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.
 
We show our respect for another by investing in him through listening. Through listening to people in order to know them, we value them, thereby gaining a true picture of who they are and building a relationship with them. Then it is that we honor them by testifying to their true identity as persons.

Usually, Jesus healed in person. But in this case, He doesn’t make the trip. You see, He isn’t trying to get all these people to go and be wowed by a healing. Instead, they’re going to witness something else that’s wonderful to see: The result of real faith as it takes root and takes hold of a person. They’re all going to watch as a man who is desperately seeking help turns around and leaves with not one visible sign of receiving it.
 
So many people are searching around for some sensational experience. They don’t realize that one of the most sensational experiences in life is watching faith in action. Jesus said, “You may go. Go on home. He’ll be OK. Just go ahead.” “Oh, thanks! Thank You, Jesus… I think!”
 
Some people think that faith means doing things without thinking or planning. That’s a mistake. It’s not a whim or a feeling that makes Christians act different from the world. It’s the word from Jesus that launches a person of faith.
 
Blessings,
 
Luis+