IT’S DONE; GO IN PEACE, THE MASS IS OVER

Isaiah 65:17-21, Ps. 30:2,4-6,11-13, John 4:43-54

“Jesus said a prophet has no honor in his own country. When he came to Galilee, they welcomed him.” (John 4:44-45)

Jesus performed his first miracle at a wedding feast in Cana, Galilee, after being rejected in Nazareth. Jesus’ claim that a prophet is seldom honored in his own land was confirmed when the Galileans welcomed him. The Galileans welcomed Jesus to their town while his townsmen furiously hauled him to a hill to toss him down for revealing the truth. He could not perform many miracles in Nazareth owing to their disbelief, but the Galileans came to him with their troubles and hopes of miracles. Now for today’s lessons:

1. Your Disbelief, Not Your Church: Many say, “If your church does not change your situation, change your church.” Why go from church to church for miracles or answers? Do you realize that many miracles have occurred in the church you left? The Galileans received miracles because of their faith, not their geography. Jesus told the woman at the well, “The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him.” (John 4:23). Location is irrelevant. Worshipping God in spirit and truth?
2. Shake the Dust off Your Feet and Go: Jesus told his preaching followers, “If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. If no one welcomes you or listens, shake off the dust as you depart that house or town.” Matthew 10:13-14. Jesus left Nazareth happily for Cana using this technique. Don’t fight those who don’t value you; go. “When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” Matthew 10:23.
3. After Praying, What Happens? A Roman Court official begged Jesus to cure his kid. “Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe,” Jesus said. The official didn’t grasp Jesus’ “unless you see signs.” He pleaded louder: “Sir, please come down before my child dies.” Jesus said, “Go; your son will live.” Without inquiry, “the official believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went his way.” When the priest says, “Go forth, the Mass is ended”, picture Jesus saying it. Happy and hopeful, go home. Expect good things.

This official behaves like Hannah, who trusted Eli. Eli said, ‘Go in peace, let the God of Israel grant your plea which you have made to him.’” (1 Samuel 1:17-18). She answered, ‘Let your maidservant gain favour in your eyes.’ After eating, the woman’s face was no longer melancholy. Just as the official believed Jesus and got his miracle, Hannah returned home joyful and ate, fulfilling Eli’s promises. Remember Jesus’ teaching: “Whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive if you have faith.” Matthew 21:22. Don’t leave prayer grumpy, confused, or anxious like individuals who brought heavy problems for Jesus to examine and then picked them up again.

4. God Answers Prayer Even Without Acrobatic Display: Some claim the Mass is dull because it doesn’t entail leaping up and down, stamping one’s feet, speaking in tongues, or “fire-packed” prayers. He expected Elisha to dance and wave about the leprous place when he saw him. Like this official, many Christians feel that Mass prayers won’t function without yelling, rolling on the floor, striking the microphone, and other acrobatic displays. Have faith. Faith in God. For you, he will.

Almighty, ever-living God, strengthen my faith. By Jesus Christ, Lord. Amen.