Readings and meditation on the Word of God on the third Sunday in Ordinary Time, January 26, 2025

Delivered by the Vocationist Sisters in Labuan Bajo and Father Peter Tukan, SDB in Gerak from the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. Nehemiah 8: 3-5a.6-7.9-11; Rs psalm 19: 8.9.10.15; 1 Corinthians 12: 12-30; Luke 1: 1-4; 4: 14-21 THE WORD AS BREAD AND LIFE   Our meditation on this third Sunday in ordinary time has the theme: The Word as Bread and Life. For us humans as creatures who communicate, the word is a very fundamental tool. Words or the expressed words used in language in order to be understood among those who involve in communication. Nowadays, with the help of increasingly sophisticated communication media, we are also increasingly sophisticated and developed in using the expression of thoughts, feelings and words in verbal and non-verbal forms. The media reproduce and accelerate the spread of the word. So, the word is a very essential tool for communication and relations between us. The word is a sign of high human civilization.   If physical food such as rice, bread or meat is really beneficial for the growth of our bodies, the word is actually a suitable food for our life and mental activities such as thinking, speaking, and communicating. All these mental activities will give us spiritual satisfaction, when there is understanding or comprehension that forms our beliefs and commitments in life. If we refer the term used by the book of Nehemiah, the Word of God needs to be read very clearly so that it is understood by the listeners. According to the Gospel of Luke, Jesus asserted that the scriptures are fulfilled when He speaks from His power, the listeners know Him, listen, and accept Him as the Messiah.   We have our own favourite food. After consuming it we will be satisfied and our spirit of life is renewed. God has created us complete with appetite for food. We can understand, therefore, there are many passages of scripture that speak about eating, drinking, banquet, and feast. Similar to the appetite for physical food, we are also equipped with a spiritual appetite. Our spiritual appetite is surely the one and eternal food, namely the Word of God. For us, the Word of God is bread and life. This is proclaimed by the Responsorial Psalm today.   The Word becomes one Body of Christ and we who eat it are the members. We both individuals and the community of people in the Church become part of that Body. Every baptized person is obligated to participate in the person of Jesus Christ. The sign that we use to interpret and make it live forever within us is the Eucharist, which is manifested in the bread we eat. There is no eucharist to mean communion if it is without bread and without having its meaning as food. As the spiritual food, it should benefit in the sustenance of our life and our constant renewal. The Word of God and the Eucharist that we always celebrate must be able to grow our bodies and souls. But when we do not have such growth, we may be experiencing a kind of crisis in our faith. Let's pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord, strengthen our desire for Your Word which becomes food that will never end. Make us responsible preachers of Your Word. Our Father who art in heaven ... In the name of the Father ...