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“Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” The royal official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus said to him and left. John 4:48–50

What is the most precious gift our Lord could give to you? If your spouse, child, or close friend were gravely ill, would a miracle be the gift you sought? If your financial situation were dire, would you ask for monetary assistance? If you were suffering from a chronic disease, would your prayer be for a cure?

Though we should entrust these situations to God’s grace, it’s important to understand that the gift of faith far surpasses any immediate miracle, assistance, or relief we might seek. Faith is a most precious gift because it enables us to turn away from our limited assessment of earthly situations and be open to God’s wisdom, which far surpasses anything we could conceive of by ourselves.

Though Jesus performed many miracles, He regularly challenged those whose faith was based on their desire for signs and wonders. In today’s Gospel, a royal official, likely of high rank, traveled from Capernaum to Cana, about twenty miles, because his child was dying. His journey illustrates faith in Jesus’ divine authority, but his faith was imperfect—he believed Jesus had to be physically present to heal his son. Jesus heals the child from a distance, but He also challenges the official and the crowd: “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” Jesus desires a faith that trusts in His word, not one that depends on visible signs.

When we pray with a litany of requests, God in His mercy hears us. Sometimes He grants them, and sometimes He doesn’t. But He wants us to know that such prayers are not the ideal. God already knows our needs better than we do. He knows our struggles within family, finances, health, and every other detail of our lives.

The ideal prayer is one of adoration and trust. It’s a prayer that surrenders everything to God without dictating the outcome. It trusts God’s wisdom more than our own, enabling us to rest in His loving care, unburdened by our difficulties.

The royal official’s faith grew when he believed Jesus’ word without needing Him to be physically present. This is evident when he learned that his son was healed at the exact time Jesus said, “Your son will live.” The official’s faith was deepened, and his whole household came to believe. This shows how true faith, once rooted in trust, grows and spreads to others.

If this man’s faith had not matured, it could have been lost if another crisis arose and no miracle followed. A deeper faith rests in God’s will, whether or not another miracle occurs. The same is true for us. Our faith must not depend on God’s answer to our prayers. If He allows suffering, we must trust Him. If He heals, we must trust Him. Our faith must remain strong, rooted in Who God is, not in what He does.

Reflect today on the depth of your faith and how it shapes your prayers. Believe, worship God for who He is, love Him above all else, and trust His perfect will. Then entrust yourself and your loved ones to His providence, believing that God knows what is best.

My miraculous Lord, You are all-powerful and capable of anything You will. Please grant me a depth of faith that enables me to trust You more than I trust myself. May I always believe in You and worship You, not because of the favors You do for me, but because of Who You are. Jesus, I trust in You.

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Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent - Miracles and Faith