“What is it that made the holy apostles and martyrs undergo fierce struggles and terrible agonies, if not faith, and above all faith in the Resurrection?”
READ: JOHN 4:43-54
When the two days were over Jesus left for Galilee. He himself had declared that there is no respect for a prophet in his own country, but on his arrival the Galileans received him well, having seen all that he had done at Jerusalem during the festival which they too had attended. He went again to Cana in Galilee, where he had changed the water into wine. Now there was a court official there whose son was ill at Capernaum and, hearing that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judaea, he went and asked him to come and cure his son as he was at the point of death. Jesus said, “So you will not believe unless you see signs and portents!” “Sir,” answered the official, “come down before my child dies.” “Go home,” said Jesus, “your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus had said and started on his way; and while he was still on the journey back his servants met him with the news that his boy was alive. He asked them when the boy had begun to recover. “The fever left him yesterday,” they said, “at the seventh hour.” The father realized that this was exactly the time when Jesus had said, “Your son will live”; and he and all his household believed. This was the second sign given by Jesus, on his return from Judaea to Galilee.
YOUR THREE-STEP GUIDE TO DAILY MENTAL PRAYER
REFLECT
The tragedy of his son’s illness detached the courtier’s heart from the vain promises of the world and impelled him to seek out Christ. As a result, he and all his family were brought into the saving realm of grace. Such is the unchanging pattern of growth in Christ. Whenever we admit the limits of our own resources and turn to Jesus for help, we give God’s grace room to work.
Jesus: I performed this miracle for the courtier and his family, but I also did it for you. The miracle showed them how much I cared about them. Once they realized that, their lives blossomed. I care for you as much as I cared for them. I know you as fully as I knew them. I want you to believe in me, and I want you to believe that whatever I ask of you, I ask because I love you. If you believe in me more each day, your life will blossom more each day. I have so much I want to show you and teach you. Follow me; listen to me. I know you are still sick with selfish tendencies. Do you believe I can heal you? Ask me. Trust me. Let me walk with you.
RESPOND
Lord, I praise you for your glory. All the wonders of this world, from the smallest buttercup to the farthest star, sing of your goodness. I am surrounded by gifts of your love. Why don’t I think of this more often, Lord? Guide my thoughts to you. Help me to see your love at work in all things. Thank you for coming to earth to show us your face. Hallowed be thy name….
I am so often torn between following your path of trust and humility and gliding along the wide road of doing what everybody else is doing. Why do I care so much about what others think and say? Why is it so hard for me to do what I know you are asking and inviting me to do? You know me, Lord; you know how weak I am. But what does my weakness matter when I have you all to myself to be my strength…
REST
I know you and I believe in you. But what about all the courtiers in the world today who don’t know you? Their lives are full of suffering, and they don’t know where to go to find relief, meaning, and strength. Draw them to yourself, as you drew this court official. Move their hearts, and make me your ambassador. I will tell them of you…
RESOLVE
How can I carry this encounter with me into the day?
CLOSING PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Most Blessed and Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thank You for Your love and Your grace in allowing me this time of prayer with You.
The world, the flesh, and the devil will all propose things I should focus on and run after today. I beg You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me instead to know and embrace Your will. Help me to see what You desire of me each moment of this day. Give me the wisdom, strength, and fortitude I need to avoid distractions, discern Your will, and focus on and carry out that which Wisdom reveals. Help me to work and live at a pace of peace and prayerfulness, always attentive to You, able to hear Your voice and to say no to anything that hinders my journey to You and a complete yes to every Holy prompting from You.
Help me to humbly and purposefully live, light, and lead others to the path of union with You and to tell everyone about this way of life. Amen.
About the Author
Fr. John Bartunek was ordained in 2003. He has taught moral theology at various ecclesiastical institutions at the graduate and undergraduate levels, and has authored many books, including the Gospel companion, The Better Part, and Inside the Passion, the only authorized behind-the-scenes look at the film, for which he provided on-set spiritual support. His online retreat guides are available in multiple formats at RCSpirituality.org. Fr. John currently resides in Atlanta, where he is serving as territorial vicar for the Legionaries of Christ.
