Friday, September 22, 2023
Ember Friday
Dear Friend,
Welcome to our fifteenth week On the Road to Emmaus. It’s so very good to have you here. This week we have an incredible claim of a Eucharistic miracle in Jackson, Michigan. More of that in a moment.
For four months we have been walking together through the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Every week I’ve issued a communication – just like this one – containing catechesis, inspiration and a challenge.
This week, however, our challenge is a little different. This week we will take a pause and refocus on a challenge that we’ve already done over the past four weeks.
This is something we are doing every fifth week during our year-long pilgrimage. Why is that a good thing to do? Because in the interior life, a virtue is an acquired good habit and acquiring good habits requires repetition. Hence you can:
1. Pray the Gloria each day this week aloud with your household, perhaps after a meal together.
2. Read John Chapter 6 each day this week, aloud with your household, perhaps after a meal together.
3. Continue to focus on making a profound bow during the Creed at Holy Mass upon uttering the words “by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man”.
4. Recite the Angelus at midday every day and genuflect at the words "and the Word was made flesh".
Okay. That’s our challenge taken care of. We’ve also had quite a bit of catechesis in recent weeks. So now it’s time for some inspiration. Back to that incredible claim of a Eucharistic miracle in Jackson. So, the question is: Do you believe miracles?
As you may or may not know, there are countless claims of Eucharistic miracles across the globe stretching back over many centuries. There is also one closer to home, however, and of a more recent vintage. The year was 2011. The place was Saint John School in Jackson. As you probably know, that's within our Diocese of Lansing.
Those who were there that day all seem to be firm in their recollection of what they saw: An image of Our Lord Jesus Christ manifested on the sacred host exposed in the monstrance during Eucharistic Adoration.
What follows is a short film recounting the story of that day.
Before we watch it, one footnote: claims of a miracle does not a miracle make BUT there’s certainly no disputing the sincerity of those who were present at Saint John School on that memorable morning 12 years ago.
Significantly, none of their claims contradict the teachings of the Church regarding the Eucharist. Quite the opposite. Here’s their story. Enjoy!
Until we meet again next week On the Road to Emmaus, may God bless you all.
Assuring you of my prayers, I am sincerely yours in Christ,
+ Earl Boyea
Bishop of Lansing