What happens in John 4:43–54?

A royal official from Capernaum begs Jesus, who is in Cana, to heal his dying son. Jesus says, “Go, your son will live”, and the boy recovers at that very hour.

What is the significance of the healing of the official's son?

The official believes the word of Jesus before seeing any proof, and his whole household comes to believe. John calls the healing the second sign Jesus did in Galilee.

How does the Lourdes Medical Bureau test claimed healings?

Doctors examine whether a cure is sudden, complete, lasting and medically inexplicable. Only then can the Church declare the cure a miracle.

How many miracles has the Catholic Church recognised at Lourdes?

The Church has officially recognised around seventy miracles at Lourdes. Thousands of other claimed cures have not been recognised.

Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B 1RB0

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Catholic Christianity: Philosophy of Religion

Miracles and Catholic belief in God

3 things to know
Paper 3

Overview

The healing of the official's son in John 4, the Lourdes Medical Bureau and its recognised cures, why miracles might lead to belief, David Hume, scientific explanations, and what miracles show about God.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

What happens when Jesus heals the official's son in John 4:43–54, and why does it matter?

Key term

What do Catholics mean by a miracle?

Key term

Why are miracles important for Catholics?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What do Catholics mean by a miracle?
Model answer
A miracle is an event that goes beyond the laws of nature and is caused by God. Aquinas described miracles as things done by God outside the usual order of nature.
2
Why are miracles important for Catholics?
Model answer
Miracles show God's power and love at work in the world. The miracles of Jesus were signs that the kingdom of God had come.
3
What happens in John 4:43–54?
Model answer
A royal official from Capernaum begs Jesus, who is in Cana, to heal his dying son. Jesus says, “Go, your son will live”, and the boy recovers at that very hour.
4
What is the significance of the healing of the official's son?
Model answer
The official believes the word of Jesus before seeing any proof, and his whole household comes to believe. John calls the healing the second sign Jesus did in Galilee.
5
How does the Lourdes Medical Bureau test claimed healings?
Model answer
Doctors examine whether a cure is sudden, complete, lasting and medically inexplicable. Only then can the Church declare the cure a miracle.
6
How many miracles has the Catholic Church recognised at Lourdes?
Model answer
The Church has officially recognised around seventy miracles at Lourdes. Thousands of other claimed cures have not been recognised.

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