Are You Letting Others Shape Your Faith? (A Dangerous Trap) Sat 4th Week of Lent 2026

#FaithOverFear #SeekGodFirst #RelationshipWithGod #KnowJesus #SpiritualDiscernment #TruthMatters #Don’tFollowTheCrowd #FaithNotOpinion #ListenToGod #EncounterJesus

In what ways do you allow others to negatively impact you in your life

Welcome to Sat Fourth Week of Lent 2026. My name is Darrin and thank you for joining me in this short reflection. Today's Gospel reading and Encounter with Jesus is  John 7:40-53 

You can find the reading here:https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032126.cfm

Division among the crowd:  community and culture and that can create a mis perception of something in our own hearts.

I know at times in my life I have listened to the Crowd, in todays culture or society often someone will say What Koolaid have you been drinking. In todays reading Nicodemus makes a very important suggestion that we need to apply to our lives especially when it comes to knowing God. He said “Does our law condemn a person before it first hears him…

This can apply to many things in our faith journey. 

• For some, it could be an introduction to Jesus. 
• It could be a deeper appreciation for the Saints
• It could be understanding the Real Presence of the Eucharist
• It could be the healing practice of Reconciliation

What I have found in my life is that prayerfully encountering Jesus has helped me to build Trust and Curiousity that has provided real Truth directly from the source. 

Recommended Commentary

Matthew  https://amzn.to/40oIHx5

Mark https://amzn.to/4sv08sb

Luke https://amzn.to/4rIiG8i

John https://amzn.to/3OAYk1Z

Catechism of the Catholic Church

https://amzn.to/3MPFEec