March 31, 2025

Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Lectionary 244

John 4:43-54:

Meditation

The royal official had much political authority and power, but now he was facing his powerlessness. He could not save his dying son. Most people in his situation panic when they feel so needy because it is difficult to know whom to trust at a time like that. Maybe his initial request was not an act of trust; perhaps panic became trust when Jesus did not respond in the anticipated way. Instead of traveling to the official's house, Jesus makes a promise and does not explain how it will be fulfilled. "Your son will live," he said. We don't know what enabled the official to trust that promise, but we know that experiencing God required his trust.

When the children at La Salette encountered the one they called the Beautiful Lady, they did not know that she was the Mother of God, but they did trust that their story was meant to be retold. How interesting that Grandma Pra was so quick to trust that this was the Mother of God speaking to the two children!

The people of that area may have felt vulnerable, like the royal official. Something about the words they heard evoked a trusting response in the children. Vulnerable moments do not have to lead to panic; they can be invitations and opportunities to trust.

Reflection Questions

• Do I find it hard to trust God?
• I believe that he preserved the life of the official's son and continually revived people spiritually. Why should I think God will treat me differently than he treated them?