March 18, 2026
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Gospel: John 5:17-30

Today, the passage from the Gospel according to St. John depicts a dialogue between Jesus and the Jews. I wish to offer some reflections here:
Christ the Lord, rich in mercy, clearly reveals His relationship with the Father. Perhaps we find it difficult to comprehend the words Jesus spoke to the Jews. Yet when we look back on our earthly pilgrimage, we can more easily understand the connection between us and Jesus, and between Jesus and the Father.
When we are born from our mother’s womb, God invites us into the world He created. He gives us parents of great kindness, so that we may grow under their careful care. When we are still children, we can do nothing according to our abilities, for our minds are not yet mature and unable to distinguish good from evil. Our loving God sends His servants—the Pope, Cardinals, Bishops, all clergy including priests, deacons, and those in consecrated life—to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom and bear witness to the truth through their own lives. We listen to and observe all they do for us, and in their thoughts, words, and actions, we perceive God’s infinite mercy.
After receiving the Baptism of Christ and the Anointing of the Holy Spirit, we often immerse ourselves in God’s holy love. For in the Eucharist, we hear Jesus speak to us again through His Church, founded upon St. Peter. He offers His Body and Blood as our food. Receiving this food from the hands of the priest, we are fully united with the Word of God. He dwells in our hearts, converses with our souls, and points us to the path of eternal life.

May the venerable exercises of holy devotion
shape the hearts of your faithful, O Lord,
to welcome worthily the Paschal Mystery
and proclaim the praises of your salvation.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica