There seems to be a note of exasperation in Jesus' voice today. John tells us that he has left Samaria and made his way to Galilee. The people of Galilee welcomed him. Their joy must have been a balm for his soul, yet he would not easily have forgotten about the rebuff that he had experienced in Samaria. When the royal official approached him in Capernaum and asked him to come down and heal his son who was near death (Jn 4:47), Jesus' response was rather harsh: Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe (Jn 4:48), yet he granted the official's wish with a simple word: You may go, your son will live (Jn 4:50).
The world around us seems to have changed so much in recent years that we too might be tempted to react with harsh judgments, rather than to believe implicitly that there is faith in our midst, yet we should never stop listening for the insistent cries of the fathers and mothers in our midst who plead for the needs of their children: Sir (madam), come ... help us (Jn 4:49).
Jesus' heart is infinitely compassionate, and if we ask him, he will soften our hearts too. Let us make this our prayer today: Jesus, we are only too well aware of the ways in which our hearts have been hardened by jealousy, indifference ... even skepticism. Come and help us, soften our hearts today and help us to be present to your people. Open our eyes so that we may perceive the signs and wonders you continue to perform in our midst every day.
Have a great day.
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