DOERS OF THE WORD
In 2011, I had the privilege of attending the beatification of Blessed John Paul
II in Rome. As part of our pilgrimage, we went to Pietrelcina, the
place of St. Padre Pio. As we passed by his place of rest, I noticed
that many felt the awesome sense that they were his spiritual sons and
daughters. Many devote themselves to his fatherly care. Padre Pio has
left us a legacy of adoption as his spiritual sons and daughters. Today,
Jesus is saying that His family members are the ones who hear the Word
of God and practice it.
What a privilege it is to be named a brother, sister, mother or father of Jesus.
According to St. Luke, Mary is the first disciple because she was the
first to hear the Word of God and submit to it in faith and action. This
is the trademark
of the disciple of Jesus — putting the Word of God in practice. St.
James writes that we are likened to someone who forgets what he looks
like in a mirror if we don’t practice the Word of God. He says we are to
be doers of the Word, not just hearers.
The author of the Letter to the Hebrews explains that the Word of God
is living and active and has power to cut through our hearts. Jeremiah himself felt compelled by the Word of the Lord. It was like a fire burning in his bones. Remember the two men on the way to Emmaus and how their hearts burned on fire as they listened to Jesus?
The same was true of the saint we honor today — Padre Pio of
Pietrelcina. He was a man of the Word, so he was able to work many
miracles, and many were drawn into the life of Jesus through his ministry of the Word and the sacraments.
Jesus reminds us that those who keep His commandments will be loved by
the Father and they will make a home in that person. Let our hearts be ablaze with the Word of God that purifies, strengthens and guides all our ways. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL
REFLECTION QUESTION: Are you a doer of the Word of God or just a hearer of It?
Guide me, Lord, in the way of Your commands. Amen.
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