Monday of the 4th
Week of Lent
March 7, 2016 8:30am
In the gospels, we can see two
approaches to faith.
There are times when Jesus is
upset with those who have seen what he does and yet still do not believe.
Jesus at least implies that faith
can follow from the signs and wonders he performs.
Today we see the other approach
to faith – the approach that I think is usually expected of us today.
A man asks Jesus to come to his
home and heal his son who is sick and near death.
He trusts and believes in Jesus
before there is any sign or wonder.
Jesus does not go to the man’s
home but just tells him that his son will live and be okay.
Then the man’s trust and faith in
Jesus finds its confirmation in the healing of his son.
His trust comes before the
healing.
This approach to faith seem
consistent with Jesus’ words later on to Thomas.
“Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
So, this event in today’s gospel calls
us to trust in Jesus and believe in his word.
If we do that, then a number of
things can happen.
We can see the events of life
differently.
We can see God present and God’s
hand at work.
We may even be moved to do great
works and make the light and love of Jesus present in our little corner of the
world.
This, I think, is usually the approach
to faith we are asked to take today.
If we dare to trust and have
faith in the Lord, then we will see differently and great things will happen.
