Today we hear about Isaiah's final vision. It is God's imminent plan to bring comfort and peace to individuals and to utterly transform all things. Yet, with the prevalence of personal sin and social evil in the world today (everything from infidelity to industrial pollution), this picture of a new heaven and new earth can seem quite distant and unrealistic.

As Christians we believe that this vision of renewed harmony is the fruit of the obedience of the Son to the will of the Father. We have yet to see its absolute fulfilment and glorification, but God's plan has already been accomplished in Jesus Christ. In fact, we may even notice this new life already taking shape alongside the pain and hardship of this world.

In today's Gospel, the author indicates three times that the boy will live, reminding us that one who grants life is, indeed, Jesus. The Lord makes no dramatic gestures, but only gives his word and the royal official believes. As a result, the official not only receives a healthy son, but his entire household is blessed with new and unexpected life - the gift of faith.