Reflection: John 4:43-54

Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent – John 4:43-54

Today, Jesus leaves Samaria and travels home to Galilee. If you recall, Jesus himself said: “No prophet is accepted in his home town.” Yet when Jesus arrived in Cana of Galilee, he was welcomed with open arms. Had the hearts of the Galileans truly changed? If so, was it because they personally had experienced the power of Jesus’ teaching and his ability to heal? Or were they simply curious and wanted to hear this man for themselves?

However, when Jesus arrived in Cana, a royal officer of the court immediately approached him. His son was deathly ill and naturally, the officer was distraught and frightened. The officer approached Jesus and begged him to come and heal his child. The child was near death. There was no time to waste. The father needed Jesus to come with him immediately!

Jesus responds to the man in a very callous and indifferent manner. He tells the man that he, like many other people, has come to Jesus simply because they needed to have a “wonder” performed. If Jesus would do this, then would they believe in Jesus? However, the man persisted in begging Jesus to come with him. He again told Jesus that his child literally was on the verge of dying. And there was no one else he could turn to. Jesus was the only hope for his son.

This time, the man’s distress and panic got through to Jesus. Jesus understood that this father was deeply frightened at the thought of possibly losing his child. Jesus saw the man’s heart! However, Jesus still did not agree to go with the man! Jesus simply reassured the father that his child would live. He quietly told the officer to go home and see his child. Was the official disappointed or angry that Jesus did not go with him to see his son? Or did he trust Jesus and his promise?

Finally, the court official left and hurried home. When he arrived there, he learned that his child had been completely healed! His son was completely restored. Imagine the joy and gratitude the father must have experienced in that instant! From this moment on, the father, his family and all the members of his household believed in Jesus.

What is the healing that we wish to ask Jesus for? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we immediately received the healing we desire? How would our lives be different if we always received the healing, the wish, the gift or grace we ask Jesus for? In one way, this would be wonderful! However, would Jesus begin to see Jesus in a different light? Would Jesus become more like a “vending machine” to us? We come, place our prayer/request before Jesus, make an “offering” and then wait for my prayer to be answered, preferably exactly as I want it answered?

We all pray for what we desire! However, in my experience, it often seems that I receive very little of what I have asked for, at least in the way I wanted it to be answered. Does that mean that Jesus did not hear my prayer? Do I only believe in Jesus if He answers my prayers exactly as I specify? Perhaps the more fundamental question is: do we truly love, believe and trust Jesus? Do we trust that Jesus loves us and he is always with us? Do we truly believe that Jesus does gift and grace us?

Yes, we need to ask and pray to Jesus for what we need and desire. However, we also need to have a broad perspective. Instead of impatiently waiting for the answer to my specific prayer, I/we need to be open and listen deeply. Jesus will answer our prayer. However, our answer may have a different “take” or direction that we may not have anticipated. Thus we need to be open and trust Jesus to bless us and grace us, as we truly need! Jesus will not disappoint us, even if we have to wait for awhile! The question is: will we continue to have open, hopeful and trusting hearts?