The Sunday of the Word of God

We know God by His word.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time B (Sunday of the Word of God),  January 21st, 2024
Texts: Jonah 3: 1-5.10; Psalm 25:4-5ab.6 and 7bc.8-9; 1Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20 

Every third Sunday in Ordinary Time is dedicated to the Word of God. Hence, we also call it the Sunday of the Word of God. It is a time to reflect on the importance of the word of God in our lives. The word of God is God Himself. In the words of St. John: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (1:1). Hence, we know God by His word. It also means God is present in our lives by His word. 

The far we are from the word of God, the more ignorant we are about Him and miss His presence. The closer we are to the word of God, the more we increase in knowledge about God and in presence. The Word of God also provides knowledge about ourselves and the world. We become the shadow of ourselves as we stay far way from the word of God. We have an unhealthy relationship with the world without the word of God. It is those who live by the word of God that has light in this world. 

The word of God is living and active

The word of God does not only give knowledge, it also has power. Scripture says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12 ). St. Paul calls the word of God sword of the spirit (Eph. 6:17). Prophet Isaiah speaks of God’s word thus: “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (55:11).  

The word of God  also empowers us. It empowers us with the truth, virtues, hope, knowledge and discipline. St. Paul says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). St. Luke writes, “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11). 

The word gives new life to those whose hear it and repent

The word of God is the word that we preach to you and the source of our life in God. St. Peter says, “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. ... And this is the word that was preached to you” (1Pet. 1:23,25). The word gives new life to those whose hear it and repent. The people of Nineveh are given to us as example in today’s first reading. They heard the word of God and repented and had a new life by their repentance.  

Jesus Christ calls us to repentance in today’s gospel reading. He says, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the Gospel.” Repentance is following Jesus Christ and embracing His ways of life. Hence, He said to Simon and Andrew, “Follow me and I will make you become fishers of men.” We can only follow Him by turning away from worldly affair and turning to Him. This is clear in response of Simon and Andrew: “And immediately they left their nets and followed him.”  

Let those who have wives live as though they had none

What we need to leave is not only material things but also family. This is clear in the life of James and John: “they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and followed him.” St. Paul puts it thus: “let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who, deal with the world, as though they had no dealings with it.” 

Today’s readings also tell us why we are to repent, why we are to hear the word of God and believe in the gospel. Jesus tells us the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. In the words of St. Paul: “I mean, brethren, the appointed time has grown very short”. Jonah admonishes us that the world will soon be overthrown. St. Paul puts it differently thus: “For the form of this world is passing away.” We should think of all these and listen to God’s word and believe in the gospel. Put differently, we are to hear the word of God and repent.  

Prayer 

Almighty ever-living God, direct our actions according to your good pleasure, that in the name of your beloved Son we may abound in good works. Amen (Collect) 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke