It is not uncommon that, when we participate in Mass, we encounter readings that are somewhat or very difficult to understand. The Liturgy of the Word, or the readings from the Bible, is one of the two most important parts of the Mass. The Word of God is not a history book where we read about what God did many years ago, but a living word, and therefore God speaks to us today, at this moment. Today we are celebrating the Sunday of the Word of God.
The first reading from the Book of Nehemiah recounts a very important event in the history of Israel. During the exile of the year 587 BC, God’s people suffered great hardship; many were killed, and others were dragged off to Babylon. After about 50 years, God sent them freedom through Cyrus, the King of Persia. However, this freedom was not an easy experience because their country was completely devastated. Nehemiah rebuilt the city walls, and Ezra rebuilt the temple of the Lord. A very special moment in the rebuilding of the people’s identity is the one we heard in today’s first reading.
Ezra began to read, "and all the people were attentive to the reading of the Book of the Law." The reverence the people showed toward the Book of the Law is impressive: "And they fell to their knees, with their faces to the ground, worshipping the Lord." For God’s people, the Word of God meant the presence of God in their midst; reverence for the Word is the same as reverence for God. How important it is for us, like God’s people, to take an interest in the Word of God and strive to understand it: during Mass, we do not only meet the Lord in His Body and Blood but also encounter Him in His Word.
Saint Paul teaches us that it is the Word that builds the Church, and in today’s second reading, he tells us that the Church is the body of Christ: "As the body is one, though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also is Christ. For we were all baptised by one Spirit to form one body." He also tells us that we are all members of this body of Jesus, which is the Church, and that we each have a different role in this body, just as the parts of our physical body have different functions but all come together for the good of the whole body. However, to understand our role in this body, prayer and listening to the Word of God are essential, as it is through these that God speaks to us.
Jesus "was teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all," Saint Luke tells us in today’s Gospel. What did God’s people feel when they heard Jesus read the Bible and teach? Luke addresses his Gospel to Theophilus: Theophilus is none other than you and me, for this Greek name means "child of God." The people who listened to Jesus preach felt loved by God, His precious child, and so Jesus’ Word would touch their hearts and fill them with joy. It is very important for us to remember that Jesus not only delivers the Word of God but that He Himself is the living Word of God, whom God, in His infinite love, wishes to convey to all humanity in every age and place. Let us ask ourselves: What place does the Word of God have in my life? How important is listening to the Word of God for me? How much do I seek groups and occasions that help me understand it well so that I can live according to God’s heart?
Lord Jesus, open our minds and kindle our hearts for Your Word so that, through the power of Your Spirit, we may understand what You want to say to us, live it in our lives, and above all, become ever more like You in all our days. Amen.