Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Tuesday of the first week of Lent, March 11, 2025

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Isaiah 55: 10-11; Rs psalm 34: 4-5.6-7.16-17.18-19THE WORD OF LIFE The theme for our meditation today is: The Word ofLife. We mention the "Living Word" first of all is to put it inopposition to the "Dead Word." There are many dead words or speaking,meaning that they are not used anymore by humans in communication. There is alanguage that is no longer used, then it can be considered dead. A number ofabusive or slandered expressions that we used in the past when we were childrenand teenagers, but now we don't use them anymore. They are dead. A bible that was bought, but never opened, read, andsimply stored on a bookshelf, until its owner forgot that he has a bible athome, can be considered dead. A library that has never been entered, used, andwhose books have never been used, is considered a dead library as well as bookslose their usefulness. The advice, input, and teachings that we receive butimmediately go out and evaporate away, or are simply dismissed and nevercontemplated and then appreciated, are all considered dead.  So there are so many incidents and experiences of oursthat illustrate how words or expressions that should be used to help us liveand work, are left to die. The reasons why the word is made dead can be variousbecause it is seen from various points of view. But we can agree that the mostcompelling reason lies in our inability to develop and make it useful.  God needs us humans in order for His Word to come tolife. He did that starting with Abraham which was continued to Moses and theprophets. His Son Himself also needed a human figure, namely Jesus Christ ofNazareth. It is through the human person that the Word is made alive, developedand fruitful. Therefore, the book of the prophet Isaiah explains that God'sWord carries out God's will, which is like rain and snow irrigating the earth,making it fertile, making plants grow, bearing fruit, and from there bread ismade for man to eat. God's Word is placed in man. Each of us encounters Godthrough the words we read, hear, and share. For example, from the situationwhen we do not know how to pray, parents and adults teach us to pray making thesign of the cross and gestures that show the attitudes of prayer. We are taughtto say the "Our Father" prayer and we continually memorize it, aswell as many other prayer formulations. If we don't say these words of prayer,mind them, and live them out, they are just empty and dead. But every atmosphere of prayer, a peaceful mind andopen mind to God's blessings, and the formulation of prayer that is integratedwith us every moment we are, is a living word, and so on makes us alive.Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord, may weremain fertile ground for Your Word to grow and bear fruit. Glory to the Fatherand to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ... In the name of the Father...