Have you ever wondered how those with very little can achieve extraordinary things? I have witnessed such a phenomenon firsthand before coming to Relevant Radio. For about thirty years, I worked in youth ministry, and in the last 15, I accompanied 12 to 15 young men and a couple of counselors to the villages in the Highlands of Michoacan, Mexico. The people there live in extreme poverty. The roads are unpaved, mere dirt paths. Their homes are wooden huts with dirt floors. There is no running water, and the only modern amenity they possess is electricity.

An Hour Away - The Stunning Cathedral in Zamora

About an hour's drive from those villages, as you descend the mountains, you reach the regional capital of Zamora. Most Americans are likely unfamiliar with this place. Zamora boasts a breathtaking cathedral. Construction on it began in the early 1900s but had to be halted due to the revolution. It resumed in the 1980s or 1990s, and today, it stands as a magnificent sight! It is like stepping into medieval Europe. Made of stone, the two towering Gothic cathedral spires are wrapped in copper. As you enter, the floor is crafted from jet-black granite, and the altar is made of marble. You can see the stained glass windows and the magnificent tabernacle. However, upon closer inspection, on the left side of the front, it appears as if they didn't finish the wall. It is concrete with faded red paint beneath and small chips of stone missing."When I asked our guide about this," I said, "he told me that they left it that way because that's where they used to execute the martyrs during the Mexican Revolution." This revelation left me in awe.Later, I had the opportunity to be with the Bishop of Zamora. I informed him that I was from Chicago and he could speak a bit of English. I expressed my admiration for their magnificent cathedral and asked him how it was possible in a place where people were so dirt poor.He smiled and said, "Well, down here, people have more faith than money." This statement is quite paradoxical, isn't it? Yet, with faith, great things can be accomplished. This is not limited to Mexico alone. Did you know that the largest Catholic Church in the world is located in the Ivory Coast? It is called Our Lady of Peace, and these are people living in poverty. But with great faith, there is something truly remarkable about our love for Jesus and the Holy Eucharist. The more we need Him, the more we will love Him.I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who showed up for Jesus in Indianapolis last summer. A remarkable 65,000 people came together. Thank you! Be sure to watch for another Eucharistic Encounter next week, and may God bless you!Share Eucharistic Encounters!Please feel free to share these encounters with your friends and family and let them know that it is easy to sign up to receive these free daily emails!Share via: