March 21, 2026
Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Gospel: John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

In today’s Liturgy of the Word, the Gospel passage from Saint John presents us with a scene where the crowd debates because of the words spoken by Jesus.

We often interpret the events around us according to the general patterns of things. Just as those Jews who lived with Jesus, when they heard Him say, “Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture says: ‘From within him there shall flow rivers of living water,’” (Jn 7:37b-38), they judged Jesus arbitrarily based on their own understanding of His words, and this judgment caused division among them (cf. Jn 7:41-44). This was because they followed the impulses of the flesh rather than being guided by the Holy Spirit.

Our understanding of God’s will can sometimes be like that of the Jews, the chief priests, and the Pharisees of Jesus’ time. In their view, since God is merciful and almighty, He would surely deliver His servants from all suffering. Therefore, when God did not bless His servants as they had hoped, they concluded that those who preached the Gospel of the Kingdom were of evil intent, and thus they refused to listen to their proclamation (cf. Jn 7:45-49). They even refused to hear the noble testimony given by those who worshiped the Father in spirit and truth, and who bore witness to the truth they believed in (cf. Jn 7:50-53).
As we draw closer to Holy Week, let us change our past perceptions of Jesus and the Kingdom of God He proclaimed. Instead of seeing God as people of this changing world do, let us understand Him correctly under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and live out the Word of God worthily.

May the working of your mercy, O Lord, we pray,
direct our hearts aright,
for without your grace
we cannot find favor in your sight.
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