Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent
Imagine the impact the Church would have in the world if all Christ-followers authentically lived out the Gospel! One of the valid criticisms voiced by non-believers is that Christians don’t “walk the talk.” Our witness becomes one of hypocrisy rather than authenticity when we hear God’s Word but don’t put it into practice. Today’s readings invite us to consider the extent to which we “hear and observe” God’s word. As we more genuinely follow Christ’s teachings, not only will we experience the blessings of abundant life, but we become influential witnesses to Christ’s truth and love, drawing others into the presence of God. Our lives become contagious with the Gospel as we hear and transmit life and love.
In our first reading, we hear Moses repeating the words hear and observe over and over. Moses proclaimed to the people of Israel that as he taught them, so were they to teach their children and their children’s children. He declared that as they lived out God’s word, they would be a witness to the nations. Moses connected faithful embodiment of God’s word with having life and with entry into the promised land. “Land” is a type, a foreshadowing of all the promises of God, of life, health, and salvation – indeed of the Kingdom of Heaven. In our Gospel, Jesus tells us that whoever obeys and teaches God’s word will be called greatest in the Kingdom. A “great” person is an influencer. All of the law and the prophets find their fulfillment in Christ. As we hear and observe the Gospel, we become influencers, imparting that law of love to others.
A person’s deeply held core values are known, not by what they say they believe but by how they live. A value is only truly a value if it’s lived out. The same is true of beliefs. You can look at my life and directly observe my belief system. That’s a sobering thought! I can tell you what I believe, but you’ll know what I actually really believe by observing what I do and how I live my life. Moses’ words are so clear and helpful: hear and observe God’s word. The extent to which I believe it is measured by the extent to which I live it.
Living out our belief in God and God’s word is not about being individually pious and law-abiding, it’s about the collective. As each one of us grows in our authentic embodiment of the Gospel, together we become powerful influencers in the world, compelling witnesses to the love of Christ. This influence spreads throughout our homes, neighborhoods, communities, schools, workplaces – anywhere that our light shines. As more and more of us come alive in Christ, our collective shining light has the potential to truly impact the nations, as Israel was called to do. I paraphrase Moses, hear and observe, that you may live and enter into God’s promises, and Jesus, obey and teach my word and find greatness (influence) in the Kingdom of heaven! God created us to praise and glorify the Divine by our lives. We honor our Creator and experience the fullness of life as God intends when we hear and observe God’s word. Our lives become life-giving to others, contagious with the Gospel, powerfully influencing subsequent generations and indeed even the nations. As the verse before the Gospel proclaims, Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life! Fueled by God’s word, my being comes alive! That life spills over to others, infecting them with God’s love and life.
Today, let us be super-spreaders of the Gospel! Fully alive in Christ, both hearing and observing God’s word, not merely giving ascent to God’s word but walking out what we believe. Thank you, Jesus, for fulling all the law and the prophets. Give us your grace today to live out your Gospel of love as contagiously and courageously as possible. Amen!
Elizabeth Wourms