Fr Maximilian gives the homily at New Bedford, on Mar 21, 2026, unpacking the irony of the chief priests and Pharisees correctly citing Micah's prophecy of the Messiah from Bethlehem while rejecting Jesus for his Nazareth upbringing in Galilee. Father highlights the irony in today's Gospel: the chief priests and Pharisees accurately quote Micah, foretelling the Messiah's birth in Bethlehem, Judea—just as Jesus was born there during the visit of the three kings to Herod. Yet, they reject him because he grew up in Nazareth, Galilee, misunderstanding his true origins. He explains Galilee's northern location near Assyria, leading to divisions after the Israelite exiles, fostering disdain between regions. Despite this, many followed Jesus until his Passion. As God incarnate who fulfills all Old Testament Scriptures, Jesus is infallible truth—we must follow him wholeheartedly, especially in Lent through mortifications, dying to self, and the obedience of faith, assuring our salvation and union in paradise. USCCB Micah 5 – Bethlehem Messiah prophecy – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/micah/5?2 USCCB Matthew 2 – Magi Herod Scripture quote – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/2?4 USCCB John 7 – Pharisees reject Galilean origin – https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/7?41 CCC 528 – Jesus birth fulfills prophecy – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/528.htm CCC 717 – Christ accomplishes Old Testament promises – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/717.htm CCC 143 – Obedience of faith definition – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/143.htm CCC 2087 – Faith obedience against disbelief – http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2087.htm 00:00 - Gospel Passage Irony 00:30 - Micah Prophecy Bethlehem 01:00 - Born Bethlehem Nazareth Raised 01:30 - Galilee History Exile Division 02:30 - Pharisees Disdain Followers 03:00 - Follow Jesus as Truth 04:00 - God Fulfills Scriptures Lent 05:00 - Mortification Obedience Salvation Paradise Ave Maria! Mass: Saturday 4th Week of Lent - Wkdy Readings: - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/032126.cfm 1st: Jeremiah 11:18-20 Resp: Psalms 7:2-3, 9-10, 11-12 Gsp: John 7:40-53 More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1763 By the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate http://marymediatrix.com To Subscribe to this channel: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=franciscanfriars To contribute to Franciscanfriars and AirMaria: https://airmaria.com/contribute/ To learn more about Mary and share with others subscribe to our magazine Missio Immaculatae at https://missiomagazine.com/ Interested in Franciscan Spirituality as a layperson? See our MIM movement https://marymediatrix.com/mim/ For information on becoming a friar: https://marymediatrix.com/vocations/