Every third Sunday of the Ordinary Time of the Year, has been designated by Pope Francis, as the Sunday of the Word of God. And we have the readings describe the ministry of the reader and the priest in every liturgical assembly – especially on Sundays – in our different churches. We read how the Word of God is effectively proclaimed and attentively listened to by the Assembly of God’s holy people. Hence, the bible says: ‘all scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work’ (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The liturgy of the word, therefore, is a solemn and sacred celebration which must be revered as such.
Reverence to the Word of God
The reverence of the Word of God is very evidently witnessed in the readings today. The prophet Nehemiah, in the first reading, described how Ezra the priest, standing in a wooden dais – the present-day pulpit – reverently and solemnly opened the book of the Law – the word of God. He blessed the Lord with it, demonstrating how he treasured the book of the Law. The people, with hands raised up, responded wholeheartedly and respectfully to it in appreciation to God’s holy book and words. They bowed down, with their faces to the ground, prostrated themselves before the Lord, for God’s words, as the psalmist puts it, ‘are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times (Ps 12:6).
Ezra, the priest and scribe, treasured the Word of the Lord and is very vivid in his gestures. After reading and meditating on the word, he interpreted it to the understanding of the people. They were all touched and in tears as they listened because the word of God is ‘alive and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. It cuts across the divides of soul and spirit, joints and marrows and has the ability of judging the secrets thoughts of hearts. (cf. Heb. 4:12). And in praising the word, the Psalmists says: ‘Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life’ (Ps 18). That is to say that the word of God is sacred and holy. That’s the reason the people were quiet and attentive as Ezra interpreted the word to them.
They were not distracted by their phones and other social media platforms as some of us sadly do these days during liturgical celebrations. They weren’t talking away in their temple nor reviewing comments instead of listening to what the spirit of the Lord is saying through his ministers. A vast number of people these days no longer show any reverence to the word of God, and we are gradually losing the sense of the sacred. This is where we need to reflect, try to make amends, and understand that holy things and activities are treated holily. We must put a stop to such reverential negligence if we are involved, and accord God and His word some respect in any liturgical celebration as we witness it in the readings today. The word of God is a spiritual activity, and it is always soul searching for our redemption.
The Fruit of the Word of God
On hearing the word of God, according to Nehemiah, the people searched their minds and hearts and were touched by it and were in tears. They shed tears in regret for bad behavior because they separated themselves from the Lord. Nevertheless, they also found hope and assurance from the word of God which was a huge encouragement and consolation to them as they have greatly suffered in exile in Babylon. The people heard the word and were elevated. They were happy because the law of the Lord is perfect. It revived their souls; the precepts of the Lord are right, and their hearts were gladdened’ (cf. Ps 18). Thus, ‘every word of God proved true (Ps 30:5) and will stand forever (Isaiah 40:8). It edifies the soul that listens to it and cherishes it. It transforms it and always makes it better.
We therefore must ask ourselves: how often do we listen and revere the word of God? Do we allow it to transform us? Do we put it into practice? Blessed is he who hears the word of God and put it into heart. May it bring us peace and joy as we listen and mediate on it. Amen.
[Readings: Neh 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10; 1 Cor 12:12-30; Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21]
