In this the fifth week of our Lenten journey let us consider another instance of the power contained within The Word of God, and, as we seek restoration to His grace, let us also be mindful of the kind of worshippers he wants us to be.

The Lenten Journey: A Layman’s Perspective – 5
In the fourth chapter of The Gospel According to St John we read about yet another instance in which the power contained within The Word of God was made manifest.
On that occasion Jesus went from Jerusalem to Galilee. When he arrived at Cana, where he had changed the water into wine, he was approached by a royal official from Capernaum, whose son was ill unto death, and he prayed Jesus to go with him to his home so that he might heal his child.

Jesus gently chided the official by pointing out that unless he saw signs and portents he would not believe, but, as the official persisted, Jesus told him to return to his home and that his son would be healed. While the official was en route he was met by some of his servants who brought him the exceedingly glad tidings that his son had recovered.

He inquired as to the time of the recovery and, when he was told, he recognised it as being the very moment at which Jesus had told him that his son would be healed (“Go thy way. Thy son liveth”.) Thereafter the official and his entire household did believe in Jesus.

As we continue our journeyand approach the week of our Lord’s passion let us remember that he has the power to heal us in any and every way, spiritually and physically. We need only ask of him, remembering as we do so the message which he gave to the Samaritan woman at the well “… the hour is coming – indeed is already here – when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth: that is the kind of worshipper the Father seeks”.