God's Prophet and the Word

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Friday, 33rd Week in Ordinary Time Year II, November 20th, 2020

Texts: Rev. 10:8-11; Ps. 119: 14.24.72.103.111.131; Luke 45-48

The word of God is truly a double edged sword, both sweet and bitter. This is not only about the hearers but also the heralds of the word. Hence, in today's first reading, the voice says, "Take it and eat; it will be bitter to your stomach, but sweet as honey in your mouth." This brings to mind the confession of prophet Jeremiah: "For me, Yahweh's word has been the cause of insult and derision all day long. I would say to myself, I will not think about him, 'I will not speak in his name any more,' but then there seemed to be a fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones. The effort to restrain it wearied me, I could not do it" (20:8b-9).

The reading also speaks of the role of prophet, bringing the word from across the sea to the people. It says, "Go, take the scroll which is open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land." This reminds us of the Moses' words: "It is not in heaven, so that you need to wonder, 'Who will go up to heaven for us and bring it down to us, so that we can hear and practise it?' Nor is it beyond the seas, so that you wonder, 'Who will cross the seas for us and bring it back to us, so that we can hear and practise it?'" (Deut. 30:12-13). The prophets are to bring the word of God to the people. With the presence of prophets among us, the word of God is with us, no more excuse for not keeping it. Moses says, "No, the word is very near to you, it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to put into practice" (Deut. 30:14). 

The word of God dwells among men in Jesus Christ. The dwelling of the word among us in Jesus Christ is total and concrete, for the word became flesh in him (John 1:14). It is said, "At the moments in the past and by many means, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets; but in our time, the final days, he has spoken to us in the person of his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things and through whom he made the ages" (Heb. 1:1-3). We are to hang on his gospel as the people in today's gospel hung on his words. Today, the action of Jesus Christ invites us to hold the house of God in honour and respect its sanctity. We are to do away with anything that is  unbecoming of his house.

Lord Jesus, grant that hearing your words we may keep them in our hearts and cherish them with our lips. Amen.

Rev. Fr. Andrew Olowomuke