Imagine the thrill and wonder in the hearts of children as they witness the divine power of Jesus — in the astonished leper, his rags falling to the ground as he touches his smooth face; in the deaf man turning his head toward birdsong; in the bent, crippled woman unfurling to full stature, rejoicing!
Through the stirring illustrations of Byron Hamilton and the searing simplicity of author Susan Joy Bellavance, When Jesus Speaks convinces each heart that the divine power of Jesus’ word is real, commanding wind and waves, life and death, and then applies that reality to the mystery of the Eucharist.
When Jesus Speaks recalls centuries of the Church’s faithfulness to the Lord truly present in the Holy Eucharist, generation after generation, Mass after Mass, to this very day.
Through the stirring illustrations of Byron Hamilton and the searing simplicity of author Susan Joy Bellavance, When Jesus Speaks convinces each heart that the divine power of Jesus’ word is real, commanding wind and waves, life and death, and then applies that reality to the mystery of the Eucharist.
When the Word is spoken over the bread and the wine at the Last Supper, the miracle of the Eucharist happened, that miracle has been repeated by Divine Command through the centuries by faithful priests and bishops since that first Eucharist.
When Jesus Speaks recalls centuries of the Church’s faithfulness to the Lord truly present in the Holy Eucharist, generation after generation, Mass after Mass, to this very day.
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When Jesus speaks, miracles happen!
Jesus said to the blind man, “Receive your sight.” (Luke 18:42)
And he did. The blind man could see.
Jesus said to the leper, “Be clean.” (Matthew 8:3)
And he was. The leper’s sores went away.
Jesus said to the bent, crippled woman, “Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.” (Luke 13:12)
And she was. The woman stood up straight, healed and free.
Jesus said to His dear friend who had died, “Lazarus, come out.” (John 11:43)
And he did. He came out of his grave. They unwrapped his winding sheet and let him go free!
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Endorsements
“When Jesus Speaks is like a spark that ignites a flame of faith in the Word of God’s power to heal, to raise the dead, to calm the storm—and to transform bread and wine into His own Body and Blood! With stark simplicity and artistic beauty, When Jesus Speaks captivates mind and heart and fosters an understanding of and a deep appreciation for the truth of the Eucharist, the Mass, and the Church’s commissioning to make Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament present for all people and all times to come. Foundational and catechetical, When Jesus Speaks will help readers of every age to open their hearts to the timeless and intimate gift that is the Eucharist, given to each soul by Christ Himself. Well done!” —Bishop Andrew Cozzens
“When Jesus Speaks will touch your heart. Highlighting miracles performed by Jesus, including the Most Holy Eucharist, and through succinct and simple text, author Susan Bellavance shares scriptural truths to teach and uplift young and old alike. Lush illustrations help to bring the memorable story to life.” —Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, EWTN TV host, international speaker, award-winning journalist, and bestselling author of thirty-five books, including 30 Marian Eucharistic Visits and The Kiss of Jesus
“When Jesus Speaks strikes the heart of the reader with its richness in artistry and simplicity in text. It presents not only the power of the Word in the Gospel but also the power of the Word in Tradition. When Jesus Speaks presents the fullness of the miracle of the Eucharist and the unabating faithfulness of the Church to “Do this in memory of me” (Luke 22:19). Brief, irrefutable, and inspiring, this book will draw young hearts to love the Mass, the priesthood, and the Eucharist.” —Fr. Jerome A. Magat, S.Th.D., professor of moral theology, St. Patrick Seminary and University, Menlo Park, California
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This article on ‘Let the Little Ones Come to Me: Jesus for Children of All Ages’ is adapted from the book When Jesus Speaks by Susan Joy Bellavance which is available from Sophia Institute Press.
Art for this post on a reflection from “When Jesus Speaks” by Susan Joy Bellavance; cover used with permission; Photo by DepositPhotos used in accordance with Fair Use practices.
