The Word of God shapes the life of the Church
Do you realize this, how important a role the word plays in our lives ? Without being able to communicate, we would be like lonely islands, as distant and alien stars in space.
Constant exchange of thoughts, experiences, views, passions, deepens and strengthens all ties, which people connect with each other. Every community of people has been developing for so long, how long they talk to each other. The moment, when the exchange of thoughts ends between them, bonds, that connected them, they begin to slowly loosen up and sometimes stay finally
broken. And this is how the family breaks up, group of friends, team…
And in the Church - is there a word?, that unites us ?
The Word of God creates the chosen people of the Old Covenant
God began the work of salvation by giving His word to people. He spoke to them through the prophets, to whom he first conveyed his words, and they in turn announced them to the people. They were talked about, that God "puts his words in the mouths of the prophets", they were called as if "the mouth of Jehovah". When the prophets spoke to people on behalf of God, they said : This is what Yahweh says !”God's Word has always been strong and effective. By His power, God led the Israelites out of Egypt against Pharaoh. He led them through the desert. He made a covenant with them and gave them the word of promise.
When the chosen people violated the covenant, God foretold punishments and misfortunes. He warned. God's Word converted the nation to the way of God's commandments and announced the forgiveness of their sins, it comforted in misfortunes and disasters. God's Word, constantly directed to the people, deepened his unity and community, it strengthened faith and hope, led to a meeting with the Messiah.
Jesus Christ creates the new People of God - the Church
Christ's words had a special power. For he spoke as sent from God, the only-begotten Son. He did not repeat like the prophets : "This is what the Lord says". Christ spoke not only in the name of God, but also from himself : "And I tell you". Christ creates a new community - the Church. He gathers the Apostles side by side with his word, disciples and believers, who believed in him. By his word, he forgives people's sins, heals the sick, frees the possessed from the power of Satan, he brings the dead back to life. He directs words of threats and warnings to perverse and evil people, weak underlines the spirit, sad comforts. He communicates God's promises of salvation to everyone. He announces his death and resurrection and his second coming.
Before his ascension, Christ solemnly entrusts the Church with the mission of proclaiming the word of God :
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations… Teach them to keep everything, what I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you all the days, until the end of the world " (Mt 28, 18-20).
Wherever the word of God is preached, Christ himself is present there.
The Word of God in the Church of the Apostolic Times
The apostles began their activity with preaching. Their first and foremost mission was to spread Christ's word and this to the world, what the Holy Spirit taught them.
Do you remember, as on the day of Pentecost, Peter spoke with great power. Those, who in faith accepted the word of God, there were about three thousand. They were baptized and joined the Church. St.. Łukasz talks about them, that they “continued in the teaching of the apostles and in fellowship, in breaking bread and in prayer " (Dz 2,24).
When the Sanhedrin forbade Peter and John to preach the word of God, then they replied : “We can't help but say it, what we saw and heard " (Dz 4, 20). And the whole Church prayed in the midst of persecution : "Now take a look, Lord, to their threats and let your servants preach your word with all courage, when you stretch out your hand, to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant, Jesus. After this prayer, the place shook, where they were gathered, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and boldly proclaimed the word of God " (Dz 4, 29-31). ,,And the word of God spread out, the number of disciples in Jerusalem also increased very much " (Dz 6, 7).
The Word of God in the contemporary Church
Word of god, once preached by the prophets, and finally by Jesus Christ himself, continues in the Church.
Before each session of the Second Vatican Council, there was a solemn enthronement of the Scriptures. The book of the Scriptures was brought in. and placed on the altar in the presence of all the Council Fathers. It was an outward sign of respect for the word of God. One of the important provisions of this Council was the command, to open more widely to the faithful the treasury of the word of God. From now on on Sunday and holidays you hear 3 reading the word of God. When administering the sacraments to St.. as well as in other rituals, e.g.. like a funeral, sacrifice of the apartment, the words of Scripture are read. The council also recommends, to hold special services for the word of God (bible hours).
All the faithful are encouraged to read the Scriptures. together, especially in the family circle, and to meditate on it in prayer. More and more new translations and editions of the Bible are being written. The Church in our day is laying the table of Bode's word abundantly, that the faithful have easy access to it.
God's Word is always alive and effective. It formed the Church, gives him height, it permeates all his activities. People accept them in faith and join the Church. Believers listen to him, consider and implement them. This is how they unite, form one family, they are becoming more and more unanimous, united by one faith. Through his word, God also constantly talks with his people. His word is a light on the way, which leads to an encounter with God. So you see, that God uses the word constantly, to save us. This is why the word of God plays such an important role in the life of the Church and of each of us!
How will I answer God ?
At the baptism of St.. you were gifted to hear the word of God with faith and called, to proclaim them. You also understand, that the word of God binds you to God and to other people in the Church. Same word, which for centuries has animated the Church, now it is to become your food and it is to shape you internally throughout your life.
Are you trying to listen carefully to the word of God ? Are you trying to conform to God's word ? Can you talk about the word of God ? How often do you read them ? How you listen to the reading of the word of God in the Church ?
So that I can get closer to the word of God, I will consider one sentence from the Prophet Amos :
“Behold, the days will come…
when they bring hunger to the earth,
not for bread, nor for water,
but the hunger to listen to the words of God " (Am 8, 11).
■ Think :
1. What role does the word play between people ?
2. Through whom God directed His word to people in the Old Covenant ?
3. What God did through word in the Old Covenant ?
4. What works did Christ do with his word ?
5. How and under what conditions did the apostles fulfill the mission of the word ?
6. Where do you meet the word of God in the Church today? ?
■ Remember:
57. What role does the word of God play in the Church? ?
God's Word calls, collects, unites, purifies and gives growth to the Church - that is, it shapes the life of the Church.
■ Task :
Make sure you do it, that there is a copy of the Bible in your home.