St. Mary's Church Elizabeth, IL

11/2

FEAST OF ALL SOULS

"Welcome with meekness the word that has been planted in you."

                                                                                                  James 1:21

Read James, chapter 1, verses 19 to 27

James keeps the theme of 'the word" going in this section.  In verse 18, he had claimed that God gave us "birth by the word."  Here he urges us to welcome the word of salvation that has been planted in us (verse 21) and to do the word.  On one level, the word must refer to the gospel and the mention of its being implanted in Christians will evoke a contrast between them and the rich in whom the word is scorched and withered (verse 11, compare Matthew 13;20-22).  The word that takes root in the Christian bears fruit in deeds.  It is "the perfect law, the law of liberty" (verse 25).

     On another level, the Christian will surely think of Christ, the Word of God.  In the poetic  prologue to his Gospel, the evangelist John proclamed that Jesus was the Word of God personified (John 1:1-18).  Self-reflective Chrisitans know they are born of the word and saved by the word.  The Christian listens (verse 19) and looks (verses 23 to 25), not at him or herself, but into the gospel.  The listening and the looking give rise righteousness (verse 20) and true religion (verse 27).  Hearing the word is not enough, because like Jesus, the Chrisitan is to become word personified.

     There should be no separation between hearing and doing the word.  As we commermorate today those faithful who have gone before us, we remember that at our own end we will have to account for both hearing and doing.

For Reflection:

Do I give time each day to ponder how my life reflects that of Christ?  How do the cares of my busy life take time and energy away from the works of the gospel?

Prayer Starter;

Jesus Christ, Wisdom of God, open my ears and my eyes to your word.  Help me listen attentively and see clearly so that my life and service may give bodily form to the word.

Fr. Joachim