Voices ever ancient, ever new. Lent, Week 4: Monday

“While he was on his way back, his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live.” (John 4:51)

Saint Cyril of Alexandria reflects on this verse from today’s Gospel, writes:

“The one command of the Savior heals two souls. In the official, the Savior’s command brings about unexpected faith even as it also rescues the child from bodily death. It is difficult to say which one is healed first. Both, I suppose, are healed simultaneously. The disease left at the command of the Savior. The official’s servants meet him and tell him of the healing of the child. This shows at the same time the swiftness of the divine commands and how wisely Christ ordered all of this. They speedily confirmed the hope of their master, who was weak in faith. . . . When the official learned that the sick child’s recovery coincided exactly with Jesus’ command, he is saved with “his whole house.” He attributes the power of the miracle to the Savior Christ, and he is brought to a firmer faith.” (Commentary on the Gospel of John, 2)





O God, who renew the world
through mysteries beyond all telling,
grant, we pray,
that your Church may be guided by your eternal design
and not be deprived of your help in this present age.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.





Glory to You Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning is now
and will be forever. Amen!