Meditation today: faith in all things

Now there was a royal official whose son was sick in Capernaum. When he learned that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, who was close to death. Jesus said to him, "Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe." John 4: 46–48

Jesus ended up healing the royal official's son. And when the royal official returned to find that his son was healed, we are told that "he and his whole family believed." Some believed in Jesus only after performing miracles. There are two lessons we should learn from this.

Reflect today on the depth of your faith

First of all, the fact that Jesus performed miracles is a testimony of Who He is. He is a God of abundant mercy. As God, Jesus could have expected faith from those to whom he ministered without offering them "proof" of signs and wonders. This is because true faith is not based on external evidence, such as seeing miracles; rather, authentic faith is based on an interior revelation of God by which he communicates himself to us and we believe. Therefore, the fact that Jesus did signs and wonders shows how merciful he is. He offered these miracles not because anyone deserved them, but simply because of his abundant generosity in helping to arouse faith in the lives of those who found it difficult to believe only through the inner gift of faith.

That said, it is important to understand that we should work to develop our faith without relying on external signs. Imagine, for example, if Jesus had never performed miracles. How many would come to believe in Him? Perhaps very few. But there would be some who would come to believe, and those who did would have exceptionally deep and authentic faith. Imagine, for example, if this royal official hadn't received a miracle for his son but, nonetheless, had chosen to believe in Jesus anyway through the transforming inner gift of faith.

In each of our lives, it is essential that we work to develop our faith, even if God does not seem to act in powerful and obvious ways. Indeed, the deepest form of faith arises in our life when we choose to love God and serve him, even when things are very difficult. Faith in the midst of difficulties is a very authentic sign of faith.

Reflect today on the depth of your faith. When life is hard, do you love God and still serve Him? Even if it doesn't take away the crosses you carry? Try to have true faith at all times and under all circumstances and you will be amazed at how real and sustained your faith becomes.

My merciful Jesus, your love for us is beyond what we can ever imagine. Your generosity is really great. Help me believe in you and embrace your holy will in both good and difficult times. Help me, above all, to be open to the gift of faith, even when your presence and your action in my life seem silent. May those moments, dear Lord, be moments of true inner transformation and grace. Jesus I believe in you.