HOW FAITH GROWS

HOW FAITH GROWS

 

The man believed what Jesus said to him and left. – John 4:50

 

Once there was a seed. God said to him, “You may appear to be tiny and insignificant but in due time, you will become a huge plant. But you have to fulfill certain conditions before this will come to pass. You have to allow yourself to be buried in soil and be exposed to rain, wind and sunshine.”

The seed wasn’t happy with what he heard for he didn’t want to get dirty and wet and bear the sun’s heat.

The seed disobeyed God. He hid himself from human hands. He waited. Months, years and decades passed but nothing happened. He remained just a seed.

In today’s Gospel, we witnessed how the royal official’s faith grew. First, he believed that Jesus could heal his son. Second, he believed that Jesus would do what He claimed. Third, he and his whole family believed in Jesus.

Faith must be used in order for it to grow. It’s not enough that we believe that Jesus can help us with our concerns. We need to show that in our actions. How’s your faith? Do you live as though Jesus can do what He says? Judith Concepcion (svp_jmc@yahoo.com)

 

REFLECTION:

“Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

 

Lord Jesus, increase my faith.

Beyond Signs and Wonders

 

The 1970s saw the birth of the Charismatic renewal movement from the Pentecostal and Evangelical traditions of Christianity. This movement has brought to our attention as church the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the transforming power of the Word of God. Through the years, however, avid followers of the renewal have been attracted more and more to powerful signs and wonders – those that we commonly call “charisms” – such as miracles, healings, singing and speaking in tongues. Among Catholics, there came the growing practice of celebrating “healing Eucharists” and the recognition of the faithful of the giftedness of some ministers who have been fondly called “healing priests.” This has sent the sick and those in desperate predicament to flock and elbow each other looking for signs and wonders of God through “miracle and healing explosions.”

We are grateful to the Lord for these outpouring charisms that have helped to build up communities and lift up the personal faith of many. Our Gospel story, however, reminds us that there are many ways through which our merciful God may want to touch our lives. The official was a bit forceful in his words that Jesus should come down personally to his house to heal his son who was critically ill, saying, “Sir, come down before my son dies.” Jesus, however, sent the official home with only the assurance flowing from His words: “Go, your son will live.”

A documentary featured over EWTN on the renowned waters of the Marian grotto of Lourdes explains that not all the Church-recognized, medically and scientifically proven miracles attributed to Lourdes came from the waters. Others occurred during the Eucharistic procession and   benediction. Some others occurred while the infirmed persons were taking a train on their way home after a pilgrimage in the shrine. There were those that were felt instantaneously; there were those that came gradually. Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP

 

Reflection Question:

After reading the Gospel for today, close your eyes, put yourself into the Gospel story, and say to Jesus: “Lord, I believe that You are healing and touching me now, right now, in the hiddenness of my room, and through the anointing of Your Word that I welcome with faith and humility. Amen.”

 

Let me be open and sensitive to the many ways that You want to reach out to me, O Lord.

 

St. Nicander, pray for us.