It is 1st April 2019. The readings are from Isaiah 65:17-21; and the Gospel from John 4:43-54. As we are in the week of joy, the readings offer such sentiments by the acts of God in the life of people. God has vowed to bless us by healing our wounds by forgetting the pain and infusing joy and gladness into our lives. God wants something new in our lives. God desires blessings of long life, and wishes to wipe away all the tears caused by human sins. “Be glad and rejoice for ever and ever for what I am creating, because I now create Jerusalem ‘Joy’ and her people ‘Gladness.’” (Is.65:18). The new earth and heaven with its safety, security, affluence of all kinds and longevity is possible for all those who allow God to reign in their lives. Newness happens where sin and death are destroyed. The responsorial Psalm praises, “I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me.” (Ps.29:2). The Gospel describes the presence and the power of Jesus’s Word in Galilee as the second miracle that cures the son of the Government official. Obedience and having faith in the Word of God brings all blessings. Our faith in Jesus needs to be like that of this official who walked a long distance to meet Jesus and to plead Him in a favour to heal his son. Jesus wanted the official to believe His Healing Word rather than a miracle and signs. When we take the word of Jesus seriously, there is also something to improve in our faith encounter with the Lord. As we begin a new month, let us put our trust in the Word of God to bring newness in our lives. What are things we do reinforces our faith in our lives and what are things we do not do that weakens our faith need to be examined as we are in the week of joy. May you have a good day. God bless you.