The Transforming Word: Dt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor 7:32-35; Mk 1:21-28 (4) B

 

The Transforming Word

Dt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor 7:32-35; Mk 1:21-28 (4) B

“Come and hear, all who fear God. I will tell what he did for my soul, alleluia” (DO)

The Gospel of Mark tells us that Jesus spoke with authority. He didn't just speak the truth; he was the Truth Incarnate. What was the authority of Jesus? It was not the authority of tyranny; it was the authority of companionship. It was not the authority of omnipotence; it was the authority of a vulnerability that is shared and transformed into hospitality. When Jesus spoke, his word brought a difference. He spoke the words of life. The psalmist says that the word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Ps 119:105). And it is a sure foundation that we can build our lives upon (2 Tim 3:16) it.

In the Biblical understanding, to speak a word, is to release energy – a powerful, personal force. God created the universe and sustains, through a word “Amen” that is spoken. The prophets spoke his word and that brought conversion. God himself became one of us in Jesus to speak to us of his own self. Such Word is a word of hope, a word that promises, a word that gives dignity and sets us free and heals us. Jesus is the Word who sets people free.

Can we ourselves also look for ordinary ways to speak that word of strength and hope to others? Believing that Jesus’ own words have the power to change, ask how we ourselves use words, not just at the special unique times, but in life, generally. Do we use words in a way that brings strength to others, to lead them more into trust, to bring them healing because they are words of forgiveness? Or do we use words to put others down? Instead of empowering others, do our words tend towards disrespect? This is the authority we too have to offer those we are with. Indeed, in the end, it is the only authority we carry. Let us be ever generous with this authority we have in the name of Jesus.

At every Eucharist we say, “Only say the word, and my soul shall be healed”. It is more than just a liturgical formula. It is a cry from the depths of our own stories. We long with all our being to hear the word of God. The word that will take away our shame and guilt, and affirm us, to reassure us, to set us free. Some of us might be spending our whole life looking for, and waiting for that word.

 The word that we most long to hear is the word that says to us that life is worth living – that our life is worth living. For is not this one of the deepest questions with which we struggle: is life for us or against us? It is a question that lurks underneath many of our other experiences – and particularly those of sickness - “How could God let this happen? Am I sick because I have done wrong? How could God be loving me if he has allowed all this to happen?” How many times do we hear people say, “It seems so unfair! The touch of Jesus holds all these questions arising out of our struggles, asking, “Are you for me or against me?” Yet, when our cry meets Jesus, it will all be calm and quiet.  All we need to do is to come before him as we are.

 We are privileged to share strengthening words to hold the struggles of people who are trying to find meaning in their life since a long time alone! Often, we may not have word to give, and the silence is hard to bear! On these occasions we are reminded powerfully that the word which truly sets people free comes alone from the Spirit of God who whispers the word of freedom in people’s hearts in its own way and in its own time. “The word of God has the power to teach us truth, and to lead us in righteousness (Ps 119:9-11); “It is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hb 4:12). May the compassionate word comfort us in the passion days of the bruised Christ.