Painting by Joseph-Marie Vien, 1752
In today’s Gospel reading, we hear the story of the royal official whose son was near death. When the man heard Jesus had come to Galilee, he went to Him and begged Him to heal his child. He was desperate, after all, even if he was a non-believer. A pagan, most likely, one of Herod’s many assistants or administrators.
Despite all this, he still goes to Jesus.
The man is miserable. He’s in distress. For a moment, he is no longer an official of the puppet-king’s court, but just another father, clamoring: “Sir, come down before my child dies.” He is humble, bereft, a boat floating aimlessly in the current.
Jesus’ response is, at first, short and frank: “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” But the official does not give up, and after asking Him a second time, Jesus answers with a promise: “You may go; your son will live.” The man then believed what He said and journeyed home. He and his household then ended up converting to Christianity.
What is most striking here is the man’s faith. He wasn’t a Jew or one of Christ’s followers. What the man was, really, was someone of considerable influence and power, and despite it all, he still chose to trust in the Lord. However, only when he left everything to Jesus and blindly trusted in Him was his faith rewarded. In other words, he did not need to see. Indeed, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe” (Jn 20:29-31 RSVCE).
In many ways, this story mirrors our own relationship with God. We often want immediate signs or clear answers about things—should I take that job offer? Should I transfer to that other school?—before we fully end up trusting Him. Like the crowds Jesus speaks about, we sometimes feel we need proof to believe. The Gospel reminds us that true faith comes before we see the actual harvest. It is the willingness to trust in God and His word, even when it all seems so bleak and uncertain. And that is always worth waiting for.
We may not always see immediate answers to our prayers. We may not understand the way God is working in our lives or what He truly wants from us, either. But Christ is still present, and He will always be present, whether that be through Scripture or His Bride, the Church.
Lent is a plentiful season in our lives. A time of reflection, prayer, and sacrifice, yes, but also a time for joy. Only when we place our trust in Christ do we discover He has been at work all along. Only then can we experience true happiness. And just as the official’s son was healed the very moment Jesus spoke, God is acting in ways we can’t yet see.