Thirty-Second Thursday in Ordinary Time

Your word is forever, O Lord. Your word, O LORD, endures forever; it is firm as the heavens.

God’s Word is eternal. It was from the beginning, is now, and ever shall be true. It is a Word spoken in love and compassion meant to show us the Way, the Truth, and the Life. There is nothing in this world that can make a claim to us more than God’s Word Made Flesh. Jesus Christ, His Son and our Lord, should be the source, center, and summit of our every thought, word, and work. His Word is fixed in our hearts and although we might be tempted to deny its existence out of pride, greed, or other vices, it is always there waiting patiently for us to acknowledge it and accept it and live it.

Is the Word of God at the core of our lives? What do we do to cultivate it in our lives? How do we reveal ourselves as followers of the Word in our everyday actions?

O Lord, your word endures forever.

Amen.

Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist

What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life—for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us—what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

The Word of Life became flesh for us and just as he came into the world to bear the Good News, so too should we give witness to him and his teachings. Jesus’ incarnation is a reminder to us all that we are the sons and daughters of God and we are all called to manifest Him in our daily lives. We are asked to think His thoughts, speak His words, and perform His good works. We have the responsibility to make visible God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace for all. We do this when we proclaim the Gospels, live according to God’s commandments, and enter into fellowship with those around us. When we share our faith with others, we give them an opportunity to grow in their own faith and come to a deeper understanding and conversion of their souls. We are constantly giving witness to our faith in God because the people around us are watching... hopefully they see a God-bearing person, who leads them closer to their Lord.

How can we become incarnations of the Word of Life?  In what ways can we give witness to our faith? Are our thoughts, words, and works bringing others closer to God?

O Lord, make yourself visible through us.

Amen.

Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist

What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes,
what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

The Word of Life lived among us and showed us the way to live. He showed us how to be forgiving, compassionate, merciful, and loving. He gave us a model of faith, hope, and charity and an example of what it means to make our lives into testimonies to God’s Goodness. He offers us an illustration of what it means to proclaim the Truth and follow it without complaint. Last but not least, he showed us how to know, love, and serve God and His children in a spirit of fellowship.

Are we living our lives according to the examples Jesus gave us? How do we testify and proclaim the Good News? How do we live out our fellowship with God and His children?

O Lord, in you we find the only true and never-ending fellowship.

Amen.