JESUS, THE WORD

A faithful stopped going to church after the blessing of the house with invitation of the faithful. As the priest noticed the scenario, he asked why faithful stopped going to the church. Priest was accused of stealing the a thousand rupees from the house. Priest went and got into the house of the faithful and open their bible where the thousand rupee was still there after a year of span. Priest had kept the money safe there to hide it from the strangers.

Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter, Motu proprio "Aperuit illis", published on 30 September 2019, establishes that "the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time is to be devoted to the celebration, study and dissemination of the Word of God".

The Sunday of the word calls us to have “The knowledge of God.” St. Jerome says that “ignorance of the scripture is the ignorance of Christ.”  God reveals himself to man, and wants to be in relationship with man. God reveals himself through Human Reason and Divine Revelation. Divine revelation consists of scripture, sacred tradition, and magisterium. Scripture is the part of the Sacred Tradition written down. It is the Bible. Sacred Tradition is the oral teaching of Jesus passed down through teaching, worship, witness, and institutions of the apostles to their successors the bishops. Magisterium is the authentic interpretation of Sacred Tradition and Scriptures. It consists of the living teaching office of the church, the bishops. Studying the scriptures can help us know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, give us power to resist temptation, and strengthen us in our challenges. studying the Scripture is that we would be able to boldly proclaim and defend our faith especially in the midst of unbelievers, as we are instructed to in 1 Peter 3:15.

Pope Francis always stressed the point that the Word of God should become our “Travel Companion.”  Everyone should carry a small Bible or pocket edition of the Gospels and should find at least a few minutes every day to read the word of God. Precious Anih says that “Studying the scriptures is spending quality time with God. We always make out time for the things we love. No matter how busy we may be, we still have time for social activities and sin.”

The WORD should become our “Food and Nourishment.”  It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’ (Mt 4:4). We are nourished in the holy Eucharist. The Eucharist is divided into two main part: liturgy of the word and liturgy of Bread. Table of word symbolizes the breaking the word and Table of bread symbolizes the breaking of the body of Christ. The Scripture is food for the Spirit and the Holy Spirit is the stamp of our discipleship. Without the Holy Spirit, we would struggle to fulfil the mandate given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ. It was by the power of the Holy Spirit that Peter ministered and about Three thousand souls were converted to Christ in one day (Acts 2:41)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (Jn 1:1). The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. God’s word is life giving principle and it is not merely an idea. God’s word has life.

Word of God brings Life in the life of People. This era is computer era. “For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. -PS 33:9” People believe in the computer, mobile and technology which will not bring life in people very often it leads them to destruction and depression. 

Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart –Hb 4:12

God’s word is creative. God’s word has been read since 2000 years, it gives more insights and reflection and life to people. There is no other book which has been read more and commented than the bible.

God’s word is the Lamp and Light. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Ps 119:105)

God’s Word is Everlasting. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away (Mt 24: 35).

The word of God is fruitful: “ So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it (Isaiah 55:11).”In Lk 1:2, we see that Mother Mary listened the word of God and Became the “Mother of God.” Lk 19:1, we see that Zacchaeus listened to words of Jesus (come down and I want to stay in our house), which lead him to transformation from sinner to person of clean-heart. It is same with Tax collector Mathew changed his way of life by listening to word of God: “come and follow me.” The fruitfulness of listening and following Jesus, lead Mary, Mary Magdalene and disciples to witness resurrection of Jesus.

Where do we place our bible today in our houses? We need to reflect whether place of bible is stolen by television or electronic devices. What is the role of bible in our house and in our life? We critically need to look if bible has become the cupboard to keep bills and documents. Which are the gifts that we give to our children when they accomplish or succeed in life? We need to reflect whether the tradition of giving rosary, bible and prayer book has been perished.

Remember, if you have taste in word of God, your life will never become waste. May His word become a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Ps 119:105)