FRIDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF LENT MARCH 31, 2023

THE MIRACLE OF SANTAREM

MASS READINGS

Gospel

Jn 10:31-42

"We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy.

You, a man, are making yourself God."

REFLECTION

To trust someone you must believe in that person first. In picking a surgeon you rely on reputation, reviews, knowledge, good bedside manner, and most importantly, believing on what we hear and see.

Jeremiah's message was not popular because it went contra society's rule. In today's world, the message of Jesus is not what society wants to hear: dignity of life, rights of the nascent baby and the elderly, the moral code found in the Ten Commandments, and confused politicians and clergy to name a few.

We are faithful to God because we have seen through our eyes, lived out our lives, witnessed His love and undeserved mercy and compassion.

God is real and the Lord Incarnate is God made man. Yet many, like the Jews of His time, did not believe in Him. They did not trust that He came to redeem and show the way to His Father. Hearts did not want to accept that He is the Son of God.

Here was Jesus standing before them, performing miracles, yet met with distrust.

What more did they need? The blind man from birth had sight. Lazarus was raised from the dead after four days of being buried, and the multiplication of the loaves and fishes were miracles that could not be explained.

What more do we need in this present age? A picture is worth a thousand words. Imagine the well documented Eucharistic miracles in which the species are preserved and well documented.

As we read, see and understand the Eucharistic miracles may we be blessed with a deeper reverence for the Mass and the Holy Eucharist.

Thank you, God, for giving us your Son and letting us enjoy His Heavenly Presence in the bread and wine truly becoming the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. The prophecies of the Old Testament are fulfilled in the Eternal High Priest, Jesus Christ, the new and eternal Covenant.

God bless you