Without Faith, it is impossible to please God.

(Homily for March 27, 2017).

Our first reading today paints a picture of paradise, a place where there would be no pain, no sorrow, nothing lacking, nothing missing. As Isaiah says “no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress.”

Even though we are not there yet, Jesus’ coming as man has elevated our world to such an extent wherein we can begin to see tiny glimpses of paradise. Yes, each time we receive answers to our prayers; healings, breakthroughs, we experience a little bit of paradise.

That our prayers are answered at all shows that it is not the will of God for us to live here in perpetual sadness and sorrow. Jesus felt pity for the official whose son was ill hence he decided to heal the boy but first he tested the official’s faith by saying:

“Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” To the glory of God, the official passed the test by accepting to go back home without Jesus coming along with him believing that what Jesus had said would have effect on his son despite the distance.

A priest once told a story of a woman who came to see him for prayers and after hearing all the woman said, the priest prayed one “Hail Mary” and one “Glory Be.” The he said to her: “Woman, go your way, it is well with you.”

But she was like: “Is that all? Just like that? You mean despite all my problems, you are only going to say one “Hail Mary” and one “Glory be?” I am sure this is how the Official must have felt when Jesus asked him to go home without even uttering a single word of prayer.

Dear friends, it is our faith that matters. It is not by the multiplicity of prayers nor the acrobatic display of dramatic moves that makes prayers answered. More still, we do not need to shout at God before he hears us. All that matters is that we actually believe in God like this official.  

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, increase my faith. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 4^th Week of Lent. Bible Study: Isaiah 65:17-21 and John 4:43-54).

Fr. Abu.