Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Today's Mass Readings

Before Jesus heals the royal official’s son, the Gospel provides an important detail. In Nazareth, where Jesus grew up, we know He was rejected and thus the Matthew’s Gospel recounts, “And Jesus did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith” (Mt 13:58). But, at the outside of today’s Gospel, it explicitly says, “When he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him…” They welcomed Jesus.

I cannot stress the importance of welcoming Jesus—as He speaks to us in the Scriptures, in times of silence, in our neighbor, in the poor, and in the many ways we encounter him daily. The disposition of our hearts towards Jesus is the difference between cold indifference and a lively encounter in the Holy Spirit. I see God working all the time in other people’s lives, simply because they are open to welcoming Jesus. If a closed heart or lack of faith can prevent Jesus from performing mighty deeds, then it’s essential to reflect on what is going on in our hearts and whether we are welcoming Jesus.

Reflection by Fr. Paul Sheller, OSB