WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE TIME JESUS SPENT IN THIS WORLD?

Sacred Scripture explains why he came to visit humanity: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16–17)

For those who believe in Jesus, He is alive among us, and within the hearts of those who have received Him. Conversely, for those who do not believe, He is not alive to them; therefore, He is not in their hearts because they do not believe or have not decided to open their hearts to the One who can do all things.

As he traveled through towns, crowds followed him and listened to him. Some did not believe he was the Son of God, the Father, but others did and converted. They experienced their metanoia, the precise moment of their conversion. So, you may ask, why did Jesus come? Jesus came to bless us, transform us, set us free, heal us, and anoint us—that is, to fill us with the Holy Spirit.

My mission has been and will remain to show the world that Jesus is alive! And whoever believes will receive all these blessings. I have been carrying out this mission since the beginning of my metanoia, my conversion, by sharing the Word of God in that very place where I had my awakening—where I came to know who Jesus was, where He led me to my own repentance for the life I had been living up to that point, confirmed by my “yes”. That is how, from that day on, I have not stopped, so that what I have experienced, everyone may continue to experience: the abundant life. Now this mission has not been limited to that physical space; rather, we have been carrying it out through the media, Metanoia Conferences, and retreats—because Jesus made a PROMISE that I will never forget when I read what He said: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Mt 18:20) Since this is so, we believe in his words, and miracles will occur—not only because of how many are gathered, but because we do so in his name, through our faith. That is why he is present among us.

Before I tell you about those great miracles, I recall what Jesus once asked his disciples and how Peter responded: “When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.” (Mt 16:13–17) This is precisely my mission: that we may all come to know our Savior. And for this reason, St. Jerome rightly said: “To be ignorant of the Scriptures is to be ignorant of Jesus.” I will continue to say: if Catholics do not know the Bible, the Word of God, how will they know Jesus? That is why he asked the question: “Who do people say that I am?”

Now let me explain what happens when JESUS is present:

1. BLESSING.
   Here’s an example: when God blesses Abraham and says to him: “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:2) Here we see that a blessing—which in Latin means good (benedicere), “to say something good”—simply by speaking those words of blessing or invoking God’s favor upon a person, is to pour out good upon them. Jesus came not only to bless us but to save us. (John 3:16) Let us then move forward with the strategy to receive that good, to receive the victory that will be a metanoia.

2. TRANSFORMATION = METANOIA.
   Metanoia is a Greek word meaning “change of mind.” It is true repentance; it is inner conversion; it is turning back to God. This happens when the heart opens to God, and here lies the TRANSFORMATION. This is the most important decision in life for me—and that’s how it was for me: saying “Yes” to God’s mercy through his Son, Jesus. This was the primary mission of Saint John the Baptist; he always preached this: “In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea [and] saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Mt 3:1–2)
   Then Jesus began his mission, and the following happened: “After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mk 1:14–15) This METANOIA, this REPENTANCE, is Life.
3. LIBERATION
   Liberation is God’s action that rescues a person from everything that keeps them enslaved and prevents them from living fully. Liberation from sin, addictions, bad habits, fear, depression, and bondage. Jesus read the Word of God that day in the synagogue, where his mission—his agenda—was confirmed: “He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.” (Lk 4:16–19). Through these works, Jesus leads us to victory, until we attain eternal life.
4. HEALING.
   In the Gospels, we read of so many people who were healed. Healing is of the body, mind, and soul. How many miracles took place: those of the paralyzed, the blind, the deaf, and even those who had died—such as Lazarus, Jairus’s daughter, and the son of the widow of Nain—whom he not only healed but also raised from the dead. Healing from a painful past, healing from guilt.
   Where Jesus is, it is a day of HEALING. That is why when events are titled “Healing Retreat,” they attract more people—because there are many sick people, and this catches their attention. For where two or three are gathered in Jesus’ name, it is a day of healing. That is why Jesus said: “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do.” (Luke 5:31)
5. ANOINTING = THE HOLY SPIRIT.
   Jesus promised those who believed in him that the Father’s promise would come to them—that is, the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Here, since most of those attending an event have already been baptized, what the Holy Spirit does is bring fire and ignite the hearts of those who open themselves to Him, thereby making them witnesses for the Lord. It is here that they experience the call to be I Am the 73rd Disciples—that is, to wear the garment of salvation properly.
   Jesus said: “…you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) The anointing is the presence of Jesus in our lives and His strength each day through the Holy Spirit.

I want to thank those who go and invite others to the Metanoia Congresses, for that is where these miracles take place. Amen!

I thank all the Sowers who faithfully contribute their monthly seed, and those who joined the initiative a few weeks ago: United with the Heart of Jesus, we carry the Good News; I also thank all the collaborators who give their time and talent to this apostolate. I pray to God for all of you, that He may continue to fill you with blessings.

And I invite you to attend the Metanoia Los Angeles that we will hold in a few days in Los Angeles on August 8 and 9; you already know all the miracles you will receive when you gather in faith in the name of Jesus.

I pray for you that our Heavenly Father may be your refuge and strength in Christ Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit. And may Our Lady of Guadalupe always protect you and your family at all times. Amen.

Your friend and servant,