What is this word?

 

God has not destined us for wrath.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Tuesday of 22nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, September 5th, 2023
Texts: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6.9-11; Psalm 27:1,4,13-14; Luke 4:31-37 

                                          What is this word?

Reflecting on today’s gospel reading I asked the question, “why did Jesus not tell the people He was God?” It was as if he left it to them to discern the divinity in Him. After encounter with Him they were often left with nothing to say than that He is God. However, they could not say it or else they incur death sentence. If Jesus Christ had told them that He was God they could have killed Him too. Hence, they kept on wondering and asking question. It was as if they were setting trap for themselves, wanting someone to tell them, “He is God?”  

Today’s gospel reading is not about the content of Jesus’ teaching but the authority His word commands. Hence, we read, “And he was teaching them on the Sabbath; and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word was with authority.” This means His word is true, convincing, irresistible, impactful and effective. The effectiveness of His word manifested in obedience of unclean spirits to Him. Hence, the people say, "What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out." 

His word proved to them that He is God

The question, what is this word?, is a refrain from saying, “He is God.” His word proved to them that He is God. It brings to mind the prophetic word of Isaiah: “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (55:10-11). 

Today’s gospel reading is a testimony that the word of Jesus is powerful as the word of God. What does this mean to us? It means if we keep His word in our hearts and act on it, it will recreate us and forms beauty out of us. Living by the word of Jesus we are set free from the power of the evil and death. We have the assurance today that the word of Jesus can deliver, redeem and save us.  
 St. Paul, in today’s first reading, says, “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we wake or sleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” Living by the word of Jesus salvation is guaranteed.  

Prayer 

Lord Jesus, we believe in the power of Your word, help us to live by it, that we reap its fruits. Amen 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke