March 31, 2025 - Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Artist Sister Mary of the Compassion, OP (1908-1977)

“Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe” 

Aren’t we all “you people”? We say, “I’ll believe it when I see it.” We choose to do things ourselves, pulling ourselves up by our proverbial bootstraps rather than putting our trust and our hopes in others. We Uber to the airport rather than ask a friend for a lift, and Instacart missing ingredients instead of knocking on a neighbor’s door for a cup of sugar or an egg. How often does our belief in God’s existence not extend into abiding trust in the way God works in our lives?  

The royal official in today’s Gospel puts his full faith in Jesus based on word of mouth alone.  He hears that Jesus is in Galilee, and leaves his son’s deathbed to find Him. We learn from context a little later in the story that the trip from Capernaum to Cana was a multi-day journey (according to Google Maps, this trip is 31 minutes by car on paved highways today, but an 8 hour walk and almost 25 miles). 

“Sir, come down before my child dies,” the official says to Jesus. What is his plan in that moment? Does he expect Jesus to drop everything and travel all the way back to Capernaum with him? In his desperation, has he even thought that far?  

Jesus responds to his plea: “You may go; your son will live.” The official takes Jesus at His word and returns home, trusting that he will return to find his son alive.  Like the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son, the official’s servants leave the house to greet him on the road with the news that his son is recovered; we can imagine their overwhelming desire to relay the good news to the child’s father as soon as possible.  

This Lent, let us fast from distrust in others, from the notion that we only need rely on ourselves, and from unwillingness to ask for what we need. Let us invite others into our joy and accept the invitation to rejoice with others, knowing that we do not drink of this cup alone.  

O God, who renew the world through mysteries beyond all telling, grant, we pray, that your Church may be guided by your eternal design and not be deprived of your help in this present age. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. (Roman Missal)

Alyssa Carolan, Administrative Assistant, Grants

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