As we journey through the final days of Lent, the atmosphere of the liturgy begins to shift. We are currently in the Fifth Week of Lent, standing on the threshold of Passiontide. The readings today, Friday, March 27, 2026, carry a certain weight, a tension between the truth of God’s mission and the resistance of a world that often prefers its own version of reality.
The theme for today’s reflection is "The Works that Speak." It is a concept that resonates deeply within Catholic spirituality, especially for those of us involved in the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies. In a world saturated with words, opinions, and constant noise, how do we demonstrate that the Gospel is more than just a beautiful philosophy? How do we prove that God’s love is a tangible, life-changing force? The answer lies in our actions. As Jesus points out in today's Gospel, when words are met with skepticism, it is the works that must do the talking.
Jeremiah: Trust Amidst the Whispers
In our first reading from the Book of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:10-13), we encounter a prophet who is under immense pressure. Jeremiah is often called the "weeping prophet," not because he was weak, but because he felt the weight of his mission so acutely. He says, "I hear the whisperings of many: 'Terror on every side! Denounce! let us denounce him!'"
Jeremiah was surrounded by people who were once his friends, people who were now waiting for him to stumble. They wanted to trap him in his words so they could take their revenge. It is a lonely place to be, standing for the truth when the crowd is shouting for your downfall. Yet, Jeremiah does not retreat into bitterness. Instead, he makes a profound declaration of faith: "But the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion."
Jeremiah’s trust was not based on his own eloquence or his ability to argue his way out of trouble. His trust was rooted in the reality of God’s presence. He knew that even if his words were twisted by his enemies, his life and his steadfastness would ultimately testify to the justice of God. He presents his cause to the Lord, trusting that the "mighty champion" would prevail.
This is the first lesson of the "works that speak": the internal work of trust. Before we can perform outward acts of charity or mission, we must have the internal work of faith that stands firm even when we are misunderstood. For many of our missionaries today, this is their daily reality. They work in areas where they are the minority, where their presence is sometimes viewed with suspicion, or where "terror on every side" is a literal description of their environment. Like Jeremiah, they rely on the Lord as their mighty champion.
Jesus: The Evidence of the Works
Turning to the Gospel of John (John 10:31-42), we see this theme reach its fulfillment in the person of Jesus. The scene is intense. The Jewish leaders have picked up stones to stone Him. They accuse Him of blasphemy, of being a man but making Himself out to be God.
Jesus’ response is fascinating. He doesn't just offer a theological defense; He points to His resume of compassion. He asks them, "I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?"
When they persist in their legalistic arguments, Jesus offers a bridge for their lack of faith. He says, "If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father."
Jesus is essentially saying: If my words are too difficult for you to swallow right now, look at what I am doing. Look at the blind who see, the lepers who are cleansed, the hungry who are fed, and the broken-hearted who are comforted. These works are not mine; they are the Father’s works happening through me.
For Jesus, the "works" were the ultimate proof of His identity. They were the visible manifestation of the invisible God. This is the heart of Catholic mission. We don't just go into the world to talk about God; we go into the world to do the things that God does. We heal, we teach, we feed, and we accompany.
The Power of Visible Love in a Skeptical World
We live in a highly skeptical age. People are often wary of "religion" as an institution or a set of rules. However, people find it very difficult to argue with a life lived in total service to others. When a nurse in a remote mission clinic stays up all night to care for a sick child, or when a priest walks miles through a jungle to bring the Eucharist to a dying man, those are the works that speak.
These actions bypass the intellectual barriers people build. They speak directly to the heart. They say, "You are loved," "You have dignity," and "God has not forgotten you."
This is particularly relevant for the work of the Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA). As one of the four Pontifical Mission Societies, the SPA has a very specific and vital mission: to support the formation of local (indigenous) clergy and religious in mission territories.
Why Indigenous Clergy are the "Works that Speak"
You might wonder why focusing on local priests and sisters is so important. It’s because they are the ultimate "works that speak" within their own cultures.
When a young man from a remote village in Africa, Asia, or Oceania discerns a vocation to the priesthood, he isn't an outsider bringing a foreign concept. He is a son of that soil. When he is ordained and begins to serve his people, his very existence is a testament to the fact that the Gospel has taken root in that culture. He speaks the language, understands the traditions, and shares the struggles of his people.
In places where the Gospel might be met with suspicion or seen as a "Western" import, the presence of local clergy changes the narrative. Their dedication to teaching, their care for the marginalized, and their commitment to staying with their people through war or famine are the living "works" that prove God’s love is universal and real.
By helping to fund the formation of these indigenous leaders through the Society of St. Peter the Apostle, you are making these works possible. You are helping to provide the "mighty champions" who will stand with their people, just as Jeremiah stood with God. You can learn more about this vital mission at https://pontificalmissions.org/who-we-are/the-society-of-st.-peter-the-apostle.
A Lenten Reflection: Our Own Works
As we approach Holy Week, this is a perfect time for a bit of self-examination. We might ask ourselves:
- Do my works reflect my faith? If someone were to look at my daily actions, how I treat my family, how I handle my finances, how I speak to my colleagues, would they see the "works of the Father"?
- Am I a "mighty champion" for others? Jeremiah knew the Lord was his champion. Are we willing to stand up for the truth and for the vulnerable, even when we hear the "whisperings of many" against us?
- How do I support the mission of the Church? We are all called to be missionaries. Some of us go to distant lands, but all of us are called to support the work of the Gospel. Supporting the formation of seminarians in mission lands is a powerful way to ensure that the "works that speak" continue for generations to come.
In many mission territories, a seminarian’s education depends entirely on the generosity of people like you. These young men are ready to give their lives to God, but they often lack the basic resources for tuition, books, and food. When we support them, their future ministry becomes part of our own "work." Every person they baptize, every soul they comfort, and every community they build is a fruit of our shared mission.
The Educational Aspect: Understanding the SPA
The Society of St. Peter the Apostle was founded in 1889 by Jeanne Bigard and her mother, Stephanie. They were inspired by a letter from a bishop in Japan who explained that for the Church to truly flourish, it needed local priests. Since then, the SPA has grown to support nearly 80,000 seminarians and 10,000 men and women in religious formation every year across the globe.
This isn't just about "charity"; it's about sustainability. By training local leaders, we are ensuring that the local Church can eventually stand on its own two feet. It is the most effective way to spread the Gospel because it empowers the local community to become the primary agents of their own evangelization.
Conclusion: A Prayer for the Mission
As we continue our Lenten journey on this March 27th, let us look to Jesus as our model. He didn't just tell us He loved us; He showed us on the Cross. That was the ultimate work that spoke louder than any sermon ever could.
Let's pray today for all seminarians, sisters, and brothers in mission areas, especially those facing opposition, poverty, or loneliness. May they find strength in the Lord, their shield and their mighty champion. May their hands be the hands of Christ, and may their works continue to lead many to the Father.
If you feel moved to support this mission of forming the next generation of "mighty champions," please visit our website at www.fraugustinedejidada.org to see how you can get involved. Your support ensures that in every corner of the world, there are voices to speak the truth and hands to do the works of mercy.
Let us pray:
Lord, we thank You for the gift of our faith. We ask You to bless all those who labor in Your mission fields. Give them the courage of Jeremiah and the compassion of Your Son. Help us to live lives that speak of Your love, so that the world may believe in the One You sent. Amen.