Today, God is gazing at us as we enter the Church. Many of you would say to me, it is visible that the eyes of Jesus and Mary are directly focused on some of you. Jesus and Mary are the eyes of light shining upon us so that we can walk worthily in our calling as Catholics. St. Paul commanded us to walk in love as we imitate God as His children. (Ep.5:2). We ask God today for both forgiveness and peace so that we may always be cleansed from all offenses and be with a quiet mind so that we may fully serve Him.
In today’s epistle, taken from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians, we are told that as we continue to walk here on earth, it requires wisdom. When we encounter this text from the book of Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, fools despise wisdom and instruction,” we simply argue, how can we fear the Lord, when He is Love? We must put it in the proper context that those who are unwise and fools do not have the fear of the Lord. Therefore, we need to walk with knowledge and wisdom because the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. The world claims to be wise, but God says they are fools. (Rom 1:22) Knowledge, wisdom and understanding are needed to discern God’s will.
When we drink too much wine or are under the influence of drugs, the spirit of alcohol and substance fills one with an evil spirit and not what St. Paul says, “Be ye filled with the Holy Spirit.” Now that we realize the contrast of influence, don’t be under the influence of alcohol; it is better to be under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Do not waste your life in unfruitful activities, like lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, abominable idolatries, foolishness, worldliness, and darkness, according to St. Paul.
Being filled with the Holy Spirit is the beginning that God will start speaking to you in your heart. There is peace, joy, calmness, satisfaction, and comfort that will be ours. There will be plenty of time for reading scriptures, singing hymns, listening, meditating and praying, which will be the awesome transformation in life.
The gospel narrates to us about the royal official who was not a follower of Christ, but who seemingly heard about Jesus’ healing ministry. He knows that Jesus can heal his ailing son. His faith is based on what he heard, and he most probably saw some of Jesus’ miracles. Hence, he approached the Lord for help.
First, the royal official was persistent and never stopped asking for help from Jesus. The man is not ready to accept a “No” answer from Jesus. Because of his persistence, Jesus said to him, “Go thy way, thy son lived.” He believed the words that Jesus spoke to him. This is what is needed to be done in terms of our own faith and belief in Jesus. Our own spirituality needs that constancy and perseverance in matters of faith in Jesus.
Second, Jesus’ first response is a rebuke of not just the official’s faith, but to all the people who were just interested in signs and wonders rather than in the identity of Jesus. “Unless you people see miracles and wonders,” Jesus told him, “You will never believe.” (v.48). This is also a warning to us that we have the genuine knowledge about the Lord. He is the Messiah and God who came down thru His son, our Lord. This is the mystery and the wonder of God, who continues to reveal himself even to this day.
Third, the official went back to Capernaum and while on his way home, he meets some of his servants who bring the good news that his son is alive. He inquired as to what time his son got better, and they said, “yesterday at the seventh hour.” He realized that it was the same time that Jesus had spoken the words of healing. As a result, the official and all his household believed in Jesus. (v. 53)
Our faith in the Lord only goes deeper when we are healed or our prayers are answered. However, we need to believe in the words of Jesus and later see the results. I don’t doubt when I am asking anything from Jesus. Our faith must not be nurtured by mere healing, or any other miracles, but by strengthening our relationship and encounter with Christ in our lives. Faith based on miracles alone is deficient.
Let us ask God to give us His grace so that our faith will grow and that we learn to take every word of Jesus so that, guided by His Holy Spirit, we will know how we can take action even when we don’t see immediate results.
God bless you.
Fr. Arlon, osa
