15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME A

YOU ARE ALSO HIS "WORD"

 

What is the Word of God?

 

The Word of God is, first of all, Jesus! He is the Word who was with the Father from all eternity.

 

Isaiah (ch 55) says that the word proceeds from the mouth of God and accomplishes God’s will.

 

This is what happened in the Incarnation when God’s Son came down to earth to establish his Father’s kingdom among humanity. So the Word is a Person; it is Jesus!

 

The word of God is, secondly, the message of God. Coming from God but flowing through the Bible and the teachings of the Church, the word of God inspires our hearts enabling us to live meaningful and fruitful lives.

 

The Gospel speaks of the seeds sown on different types of soil. The seeds represent the word of God, the message of God, that is offered to people and that is received in different ways by those who hear it.

 

There is power in the word of God and many people experience change in their lives because of it.

 

St. Augustine read the word of God.  St. Francis listened to it. Padre Pio reflected on it. St. Francis Xavier proclaimed it. And the word they changed their lives forever!

 

So many people today read the Bible, listen to preaching, receive biblical text messages, join faith sharing or Bible studies.

 

They too, receive inspiration, encouragement and strength to lead virtuous lives and to perform acts of love.

 

When the word is shared, and when it is received, a miracle happens.

 

Sometimes the miracle is instantaneous while at other moments, it takes a bit of time for it to sink down and make a difference.

 

The most important thing is that the seed was planted in a human heart.

 

But the word of God is not only Jesus and the Bible. The word of God can also take the form of a loving concern from a family member, a friend, a good neighbor. And "you" can be God's word to another person, too!

 

God speaks to us through ordinary work, events or people. He uses each one of us to extend his mercy and concern to people who need it most.

 

If we do not speak or act in the moment when it is necessary, other people will not discover the truth or learn the right lesson. We must allow God to speak through us too so that his love can reach them!

 

A father noticed that his son was spending so much time on the internet, playing games and watching videos. It was affecting his sleep, his presence at home, and his studies.

 

One day, he took the child aside and explained to him the ill-effects of his actions. He warned him of the negative consequences of internet addiction.

 

Surprisingly, the child stopped his bad habit and controlled his internet use.

 

God used the father to correct the ways of the son.

 

We need to listen to Jesus; it is good to read the Bible; but it is also important to absorb God’s message and share it to others. We become what we receive… we become the word of God too!

 

Please share with a friend…