Today we celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God, a day devoted to celebrating, studying, and sharing God’s Word. Pope Francis established this special day to remind us that “we should never take God’s Word for granted, but instead let ourselves be nourished by it, in order to acknowledge and live fully our relationship with God and with our brothers and sisters.”
In the Gospel, Jesus reveals Himself as the fulfilment of God’s promise of a Messiah. He declares His mission: to bring good news to the poor, liberation to captives, sight to the blind, and freedom to the oppressed. However, His mission is meant not just for the people of Israel—it’s for all of us. Jesus desires to share His life with us, to renew us, and set us free.
Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:14), and we encounter Him when we read the Scriptures. To know Jesus and grow in our relationship with Him, we must spend time with His Word. The Catechism of the Catholic Church urges all Christians to deepen their knowledge of Jesus through regular Scripture reading: “we speak to Him when we pray; we listen to Him when we read the divine Scriptures” (CCC 2653). Only by immersing ourselves in prayer and the Word of God can we truly encounter the living Christ and experience His transformative love.
A Personal Challenge
In today’s first reading, we see a powerful moment as the Israelites, newly returned from exile in Babylon, gather to hear Ezra the priest proclaim the Law. Their response is moving—they raise their hands in praise, bow in worship, and weep as they listen attentively. This passage invites us to reflect: What is our response when we hear the Word of God at EC? Do we allow it to touch our hearts and inspire us to whole-hearted worship of God?
A Call to Mission
In St. Paul’s message to the Corinthians in the second reading, he shared that we are all members of the Body of Christ, each with unique gifts given by the Spirit. These gifts are not for ourselves—they are to be used to build God’s kingdom. As baptized Christians, we are all called to continue Jesus’ mission to proclaim the Good News to the world. Jesus exhorts us : “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20). Let’s pause and consider: How are we using our talents and gifts to share the Word of God with others and build His kingdom?
Renewing Our Commitment
On this Sunday of the Word of God, let us renew our commitment to reading, praying, and reflecting on the Word of God every day. By living out the teachings of Scriptures, we will draw strength to bring hope to others, build stronger communities, and advance the mission of Christ. May the Word of God inspire us, transform us, and empower us to be His light in the world.
Written by Florence Ang