Gospel Reading for March 16, 2026 – John 4: 43-54
GREAT HUMILITY and DEEP FAITH
At that time Jesus left [Samaria] for Galilee. For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his native place. When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves had gone to the feast.
Then he returned to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, who was near death. Jesus said to him, “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. While the man was on his way back, his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live. He asked them when he began to recover. They told him, “The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.” The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live,” and he and his whole household came to believe. Now this was the second sign Jesus did when he came to Galilee from Judea.
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A royal official during the time of Jesus was someone who served in the court of a king. In this instance, the ruler was Herod Antipas, and such an official would have been a man of wealth, education, and influence. It would have been quite unlikely for someone of such high status to approach—or seek help from—a wandering preacher known simply as the son of a carpenter.
Yet, in his desperation and great love for his dying son, the royal official came to Jesus with GREAT HUMILITY and DEEP FAITH. His trust was not in vain, for the powerful word of Jesus alone healed his son from afar.
Many of us, when faced with difficulties, are quick to complain to God and ask, “Why me, Lord?” But with such an attitude, we often fail to find the strength or clarity needed to face our problems. In times like these, we should be like the royal official, who cared about nothing except the healing of his son. His social status and the possible criticisms of others no longer mattered. In a life-and-death situation, these things were insignificant.
Moments like these remind us of what truly matters most in life: GREAT HUMILITY and DEEP FAITH in God.
Yes, Lord, nothing is impossible with you!
