Wednesday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
How often have I said I will do something only to forget to do it? It is not enough just to say that we are Christians if our actions do not bear out the words we speak. Teenagers are often seen as being rebellious; however social science has discovered a deeper reason for this conclusion. It may play out like this: a parent insists that their children go to church regularly and then drops them off at the door. In another scenario a parent may insist that a child not watch TV non-stop when they have modeled the very behavior they are telling their children not to do. When we say one thing and do another, people assign more weight to actions rather than our words.
Hence the phrase, actions speak louder than words. St. Francis of Assisi stated it this way, “Preach the gospel always, if necessary use words.” The first reading from James encourages the believers to ‘welcome the word’. Consider what it means to welcome the word? On one level it means understanding that we are not worthy to receive Christ under our roof. On another level God has said the Word, and our souls have been healed. Thus we are worthy to receive the Lord. In both the Liturgy of the Word and in our Eucharistic meal we encounter opportunities to experience the transforming power of God.
In going to mass regularly, we hear God’s Word proclaimed repeatedly. However, if we fail to internalize the gospel message then the Word falls mostly on deaf ears. So too, we must understand Eucharistic meal, and see as ourselves as participating in the Last Supper with Christ. Then our Eucharistic meal celebrates the life, death and resurrection of our Lord. How often do we remain unmoved by these incredible events? In what ways do we need to allow the transforming power of God to change our lives from hearers to doers?
"Good and loving God, You search us and you know us. You know all of the ways we are blind. Even as you restored the sight of the blind man, restore our ability to see. In this way, we will be doers of your Word, who will live with you on your holy mountain both now and forever. Amen!"
- Michael Montgomery