Our Lord instructs the Israelites here that what was foretold would be given to another
people, and the reason that it would be given to another people was not because of the cruelty
of Christ, but because of the incredulity of the chosen people. What was foretold by all the
prophets they were to look for, and yet when it was there amongst them, they would reject it,
not because the Lord didn't give them every sign, but because in their hardness of heart,
they deliberately blinded themselves to the signs that they were to discern. And so,
our Lord prophesies today that what was to be given to the chosen people
will be given to another people, and so that other people is us, the Gentile world,
and we have been given that greatest of all gifts, Holy Mother Church, that which was foretold
from the fall of our first parents, and was foretold through all the ancient prophets,
to look forward to an institution that would be the means of salvation for the whole world.
And so today, we reflect upon what is most important to understand, that the church was
to the sufferings of Christ, and so all she possesses was paid for by the suffering of the
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. St. Pio says of the suffering of Christ that it was the infinite hand
of divine love for the regeneration of mankind, and so he means to point out that all that we have
that is precious, that is the sacramental life foretold in the first reading by the seven dips
that Naaman was to take in the river Jordan.
All that we have and that is precious was purchased by that suffering of Christ, and so
that when Naaman asked the question, if the rivers in his land were greater than the rivers
of Israel, the answer is always and everywhere no, because the greatest of all rivers is the river
of divine love, and that is none other than the Christ, from whom all that is necessary
to water the soul is attained. And so the sacramental life,
was purchased by that infinite hand of divine love that was willing to suffer for us in order to
purchase for us the mystery of the church, and we can go forward with true confidence, especially
because we are strengthened by what happens at the end of today's gospel. When they were furious
because the Lord accuses them and convicts them of their incredulity, they sought to lay hands on
him, but the scripture tells us he merely passed through their midst and went their way, and so
we are strengthened knowing that Christ does not allow anyone to lay hands on his mystical body
either unless he gives them direct permission, and so if we need to fear any persecutions, any trials
and tribulations, we know that we undergo them with the divine permission. That is, our leader
has given the enemies of the church permission to persecute the church, and he does so for one
purpose and one purpose only, so that we may enter into the kingdom of God. And so we are strengthened
knowing that Christ does not allow anyone to lay hands on his mystical body, either unless he gives them
to that mystery of his suffering, and thereby cooperating with him in the conquest for souls.
Our Lord wishes, as he tells us very clearly, and we are often to reflect on during the time of Lent,
he does not wish the death of any sinner, but he truly wishes that all sinners come to knowledge
of himself. And so let us strive knowing that it was the love of God and infinite love,
a love that was sealed by the suffering of Christ that has purchased for us,
that which is most precious, incorporation into the mystical body of Christ by the sacrament of
baptism and preservation in the Christian life by all the sacraments, most especially the sacrament
of his divine love, the most holy Eucharist, in which our Lord is truly present with us as our
leader, leading us and guiding us through all trials and tribulations, through good times and
bad times, not allowing anyone to lay their hands upon us, but to lead us through all trials and
tribulations, through good times and bad times, not allowing anyone to lay their hands upon us,
unless they have received his permission to do so. And if he gives his permission,
he does so with one purpose and one purpose only, that the enemies of Christ may ultimately,
by the suffering of the members of the mystical body, be won over to the mystical body of Christ.
And so let us truly reflect that in this day and in this age, in the age of our salvations,
we are truly involved in the age of mercy. And so let us strive always, always and
everywhere to give to all souls the mercy, the knowledge of God's mercy, the knowledge of God's
love, and most especially the knowledge of that infinite act of love by which we were regenerated,
that is, the suffering, the suffering not of any man, not of all men, but the suffering
of the God-man, Jesus Christ, for the salvation of the world.
And so let us truly reflect that in this day and in this age, in the age of mercy,
that is, the suffering, the suffering not of any man, not of all men, not of all men, not of all men, not of all men, not of all men, not of all men, not of all men.
And so let us truly reflect that in this day and in this age, in this age, in this age, in this age, in this age.