Reflection
In today’s Gospel, the people were “amazed” when Jesus was able to cast out the demon by the power of His Word. As Catholic Christians, we believe that the Bible contains the inspired Word of God. Let’s explore what that Word can do for us and examine our own reaction to the Living Word of God.
When Jesus taught he spoke with authority. He spoke the word of God as no one had spoken it before. When the Rabbis taught they supported their statements with quotes from other authorities. The prophets spoke with delegated authority - Thus says the Lord. When Jesus spoke, He needed no authorities to back His statements. He was authority incarnate - the Word of God made flesh. When He spoke, God spoke. When He commanded even the demons obeyed. Similarly, when Jesus speaks to us in the Sacred Scriptures, that Word is both authoritative and alive. It is the Living Word.
How do we respond to the Living Word we hear or read? Do we hear it with indifference, selective submission, or with the full assent of faith and obedience? We should receive the Living Word (read or heard) as authoritative and meant for us personally. We aren’t receiving the words of an entertaining author, teacher, or coach. God is speaking to us! Given the context in which it was written and the point in our life when we receive it, the Living Word is always meant for our good. After all, the source is God, who is Love Himself.
God's Living Word is truth and life. It has power to set us free from every sin and oppression. It can bring us healing of body, mind, and spirit. If the demons, the fallen angels, were able to recognize the power and authority of Jesus, how much more should we recognize and believe in the power and authority of the Living Word given to us in the Gospel?
Our Lord desires our full faith in Him. He doesn’t say it’s okay to agree with Him on certain things but not on others. He doesn’t want us to serve the poor but be unwilling to forgive those who offend or harm us. He calls us to Love Him completely. This requires that we love everyone in our life because He also created and loves them. With full faith in the power and love given us by and through the Living Word, let’s turn to the Living Word each day knowing that it is there that Jesus teaches us how to live.
Today’s Question for Prayer and Reflection
Are you ready to follow the Lord Jesus and to conform your life according to His Living Word?
Source for today’s reflection: https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=sep3