BIBLE: LIVING BY THE WORD (PART 3)

Faith comes from hearing the Word of God, understanding it and assimilating it into our lives. Therefore, preaching the Word of God is necessary and that’s why Jesus says:
                      “A sower went out to sow his seed,” (Mt 13: 3; LK 8: 5).
The sower who went out is the preacher and we (not only the priests) are commissioned to preach God’s life-giving Word.

Moses preached the Law of God to the whole people of Israel in the land of Moab, (Deut 1 & 2). In the times of the  Old Testament , God appointed prophets as His messengers to speak His word to the people. In the time of the New Testament , God sent His Holy Spirit to His people to preach His Word to all.

Finally Christ, both in his humanity as well as divinity, came to preach the Word of God. He sent out the apostles to preach to all nations and to baptize them (Mt 28: 19 – 20). Preaching the gospel is therefore an apostolic as well as a divine task for all Christians.

The Word of God is so filled with manifold goodness that it is like a treasury of all good things. From this Word comes faith, hope, charity, love, all the virtues, all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, all the gospel beatitudes, all good works, all merit in this life and the glory of paradise.

Let us first cleanse our hearts from all evil and humbly accept the Word which God has planted in our hearts and which can save us. For the word of God is light to the mind and fire to the will, enabling every listener to know and love God and to discern His will. When we obey His Word, we can triumphantly live out His way of life and become a trusted light to our neighbours, family and friends.

Let us pray for all missionaries, priests and religious working with Mother Church, that they may have the courage and heart for the Gospel. And let us together be involved in the sowing of the seed!