When Jesus Speaks: A Children’s Book Review

Laura Range reviews a simple yet powerful book on the miracles of Jesus, including His greatest miracle of coming to us in the Eucharist!

When Jesus Speaks

by Susan Joy Bellavance
Illustrated by Byron Hamilton
Published by Sophia Institute Press

When you hear the word “miracle,” what comes to mind? Many of us would probably think of the physical healings that Jesus performed in the Bible: the blind seeing, the lame walking, the deaf hearing. Yet as amazing as those are, often in the Scriptures as He performed them Jesus would allude to the greater miracles being those of healing the soul, when He would cast out demons and forgive sin.

The Sacraments themselves are such miracles we experience today: forgiveness of our sins through Confession, becoming a child of God through Baptism, receiving His flesh and blood in the Eucharist. Do we live as if we receive the greatest miracle ever given every Sunday at Mass? Do we witness that to our children?

When Jesus Speaks

Witnessing to the truth of the Eucharistic miracle

In a new children’s book, When Jesus Speaks by Susan Joy Bellavance, this truth is shown in a powerfully stirring way. The author begins by reminding us that when the Word of God, Jesus Christ, speaks, miracles happen. Bellavance then goes on to present various miracles of the Bible in striking simplicity, taking verses from the Bible with Jesus’ words when performing miracles and showing how they manifested in the miracle. Jesus said to the leper, “Be clean” and he was. Jesus said to the blind man, “Receive your sight” and he did.

The book culminates in the institution of the sacrament of the Eucharist: Jesus said “This is My Body” and it was. Then the author brilliantly goes on in the next few pages to show multiple examples of priests and saints through the centuries obeying His words to “do this in remembrance of Me" — and they did, from the apostles to monks to popes to your very own parish priest this very day.

This is truly one of the most poignant Catholic children’s books I’ve read. I absolutely love the way the author showed the connection that the same Jesus who worked miracles with His words now works a miracle every Mass with the words He gave the Apostles as the first priests. The gorgeous illustrations by Byron Hamilton add so much to the tone and content of the book.

An evangelization tool for children and the adults who read to them

The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith, and this book shows the continuity and beauty of it for almost two thousand years. It is a great evangelization tool not only for children but also to all the adults who will read it to them. I plan to buy this for my godchildren. It would also make an excellent First Communion gift.

Ask for When Jesus Speaks at your local Catholic bookseller, or order online from Amazon.com or the publisher, Sophia Institute Press.

Is this a book you'd like to read? Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles.

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