The Lord never abandons His people, even when sin has led us into exile. In today’s first reading from the Book of Ezra, we witness the extraordinary moment when King Cyrus, moved by God, proclaims freedom for the Jewish people: “Go up to Jerusalem, back to your native land, and build a house for the Lord.” After seventy years in Babylon, the exiles are told to return and rebuild the Temple that had been destroyed because of their disobedience. What once seemed like punishment becomes the setting for restoration.

Mary is not a hindrance to Jesus but rather one of the best ways to be led to Jesus. Learn from Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC why her role is so important and why she is actually a gift from Jesus - a gift we don't want to reject.

Fr. Allen Alexander, MIC, explains that if you can't receive both species, there is still infinite grace in either just the Host or just the Precious Blood. They are both fully the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ.