Be the Royal Official – Reflection on John 4:43-54
As believers, we can be the royal official, knowing that Christ brings life-giving water before and after death. Among the signs is rebirth as we become saved and selfless, among the numerous effects. I am sure you have asked for and seen His spiritual breath melt human anguish away again and again. God designed us to absorb His breath and reflect the light of Christ inside us outward. Others see this light as signs of help, smiles, hugs, tears, and comfort as healing given straight into the world’s needs. These types of faith visits are the signs that partially reveal the wonders of Divinity. Remarkably, it is our choice of how much we recognize before leaving our home on earth.
The Healing of the Officers Son, by James Tissot (full resolution image of painting).
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website
John 4:43-54 – Scripture*
Jesus Returns to Galilee
43 When 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). 45 When 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.
Jesus Heals an Official’s Son
46 Then 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. 47 When 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. 48 Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” 49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my little boy dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way. 51 As he was going down, his slaves met him and told him that his child was alive. 52 So 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.” 53 The 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. 54 Now this was the second sign that Jesus did after coming from Judea to Galilee.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this daily Gospel reading and considering this Lectio Divina John 4:43-54 Reflection – Be the Royal Official.
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Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible John 4 passage.
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