Faster than the Speed of Light?
March 31, 2025 - Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent
John 4:43-54
Cana, the setting of today’s Gospel, is a place we already know well. It was here that Jesus performed his first sign—changing water into wine. In doing so, he revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him (John 2:1-11). Now, in the same town, Jesus performs his second sign: the healing of a royal official’s son. Once again, faith is the fruit of the miracle. The Gospel tells us: “He and his whole household came to believe” (John 4:53).
The identity of this royal official remains unknown, but some scholars suggest he may have been a Gentile, which carries significant meaning. In John 3, Jesus offers new life to a Jew, Nicodemus. In John 4:1-42, he brings salvation to the Samaritans, who come to believe that he is “the Savior of the world.” Now, by rescuing a boy from the brink of death, Jesus extends his life-giving mission to a Gentile household. In this way, John subtly foreshadows the universal reach of Christ’s mission—to Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles alike (cf. Acts 1:8).
Unlike the centurion in the Synoptic Gospels, who asks Jesus to heal his servant with a mere word from a distance, this royal official pleads with Jesus to come down from Cana—located in the hills—to Capernaum, by the Sea of Galilee. The journey between the two towns spanned roughly 40 kilometers and involved an ascent of 410 meters. Yet, instead of traveling to the boy, Jesus simply declares: “Go, your son lives.” The official believes Jesus' word and departs.
But here’s something striking: the Gospel’s timeline suggests that the man did not rush home immediately. The encounter took place at the seventh hour—1 PM—and yet, he only returned to Capernaum the next day. Why the delay? Did Jesus’ words give him such peace that he no longer felt the need to hurry back?
More astonishing still is the speed with which Christ’s word takes effect. At the very moment Jesus speaks in Cana, 40 kilometers away in Capernaum, the dying boy is restored to life. How fast does the word of Christ travel? Is it faster than the speed of light? And is there any other word capable of snatching life from the grip of death?
St. Cyril of Alexandria offers a profound insight: Jesus’ word healed two people—the son from his illness and the father from his weak faith. The royal official came to Jesus in desperation, but he left in faith. John includes this story in his Gospel not simply to recount a miracle, but to invite us—the listeners—to deeper belief. Just as Jesus' word healed the royal official’s doubt, this passage can also strengthen our own wavering faith.