3rd Sunday, The Power of the Word of God

 

This weekend’s readings speak about the power of the Word of God and its importance.

The first reading of today’s Mass is from the book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament. The Jewish people were taken into captivity in the year 721 BC by the King of Assyria. When taken into captivity-- their temple in Jerusalem was destroyed. And now, about 230 years later in 450 BC their captivity is over, and they are returning to Israel. Once the Jewish people reach their Jewish soil, the priest Ezra explains to the people the content of the Law, that they had forgotten during the years they were held captive in the foreign land. He read to them from the Sacred Book (the Holy Scriptures) from early morning until midday. His audience stood and followed the teaching attentively and all the people wept. Their response is sorrow and joy. Sorrow for not having been able to hear the Word of God for so long. That was the reason they were taken into captivity, because even though they heard the Word of God, they failed to follow it--- as it was explained to them by the prophets. Now they are filled with joy, because they once again hear God’s word and now have the opportunity to follow it.

When we come to Mass we stand in an attitude of watchfulness to hear the Good News the Gospel always brings us. We have to listen to the readings with attentiveness in a humble and grateful way---because we know that God is speaking to each one of us in particular. St. Augustine said, “We should hear the Gospel as if Our Lord were present and speaking to us.” And if we realize what St. Augustine says is true, then we come to understand Our Lord longs to speak to our hearts and convince us of His love.

The Word of God can bring us wisdom and direction, healing and freedom. There have been many instances of people at Mass, who had a change of heart due to the scriptures being proclaimed.

St. Anthony of the desert, heard the words at Mass, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor,” which inspired him to give away all his vast possessions. He kept a few of his possessions only to see that his sister’s education was completed — and then he began to live in the desert. He then begged an elderly hermit to teach him about the spiritual life. His admirers became so many and so insistent, that he was eventually persuaded to found two monasteries for them-- and to give them a rule of life. These were the first monasteries ever to be founded, and Saint Anthony is considered the father of monasticism. All because he was touched by grace when he heard God’s Word at Mass.

At other times, people had inspirations from the Word of God to follow Him more closely. For example, when Mother Teresa of Calcutta meditated on the words of Jesus on the Cross, “I thirst.” she knew Our Lord wanted her to help the poorest of the poor because Jesus was thirsting for souls. St. Francis of Assisi changed His life from the words of the Gospel, which said, “If you want to be my disciple, give everything you have to the poor and come and follow me.”

God’s Word is different than other words, first and foremost because God Himself is the author of Sacred Scripture. He used humans to convey in written form, His Word to us. And He speaks to us when we proclaim the Sacred Scriptures. A parishioner once told me after Mass, “Father, the first reading and the responsorial psalm was meant for me.”

We have an opportunity to hear the Word of God each time we come to Mass. But, before we hear the readings from Scripture proclaimed and explained, we ask our self, “What is the Lord saying to me?” Then we can try to go home after each Mass with some idea from the Scripture readings or their explanation in the homily in our mind.

We also can hear the Word of God by reading the Bible in our own homes. We can try to nourish our mind every day by feeding it with Sacred Scripture for at least a few minutes. As part of family prayer together every evening why not read a short passage from the Gospels and think about it means for us today. Open your Bible and light a candle beside it as a sign of the presence of Jesus in the Scriptures. Keep your Bible in a prominent place in your home so that you will see it every day and be reminded to read it. It’s always best to pray to the Holy Spirit, asking Him to open our mind and to receive God’s message before we read from the bible.

During Eucharistic Adoration or at home, it’s efficacious for us to meditate on Scripture, and we place our self in the story, such that we see and hear the event as it unfolds and experience Jesus in a personal way.

St. Gregory wrote, “The Bible is a love letter sent by God to his people in which we can perceive the heart of God.” We should therefore, read and listen to God’s love letter every day. St. Jerome said, “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.”

The Word of God in the Bible brings us healing and helps us cope with life’s problems. We may not find an answer to every problem but it will certainly broaden our vision. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my steps and a light for my path.”

Finally, we can ask the Virgin Mary to remind us to read from the bible every day and help us to understand what it means for us. Her Son is the Eternal Word. She knew Him better than anyone and She will help us to receive God’s love letters with openness and joy.