The Word of God - Family Reflection Video

The seed is the word of God. The word of God is performative. This is an amazing fact about the word of God. It accomplishes what it signifies. God said, "Let there be light!" and there was light. We see and hear God's word in many ways. Today's image is a Galilee panorama taken from the Mount of Beatitudes, which is believed to be the place where Jesus gave Sermon on the Mount. God speaks directly, and through His beloved Son, and His word is creation.

Again, the word of God is performative. God said, let the earth bring forth all kinds of vegetation, and burgeoning plant life fills the earth.

God said, let the earth bring forth all kinds of living creatures, fish in the sea and wild animals on land, and behold, they are swimming the seas and bounding all over the land.

God said, let us make man and woman in our own image, and there were Adam and Eve.

God speaks his Word, and it performs.   

Paul says to Timothy, "Stir into flame the gift you were given through the imposition of my hands."

He is speaking to all of us, too, listening to this parable of the word of God. The seed is the word of God, Jesus is the Sower, and we are the recipients. The soil in which the seed lands and grows is the human heart. He is telling us to stir into flame the gift we have been given.   

This reality is present in our midst. When the priest says at the beginning of Mass, "The Lord be with you," he is speaking to you about the word that performs!

The Holy Spirit is the gift that is stirred into flame, that sees Christ, using the humble instrument of a priest, to sow the seed of the word of God in our midst.  

When you come to confession and humbly open your heart to the Lord, it is Christ, using the priest to raise his hand over you in blessing as he utters the words of absolution, "I absolve you of your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

This is the only place you can be sure not only are your sins forgiven, but you are absolved of the guilt of your sins by Jesus. The word of God, who has taken the burden of your sins upon his shoulders. At Mass, when the words are spoken over the simple bread, "This is my Body," it becomes the body of Christ, "This is my blood," spoken over the wine; it becomes the saving blood of Christ.   

Friends, at the conclusion of Mass, when the priest says, "May the Blessing of Almighty God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, come upon you and remain forever." It is the Word of God who brings God’s rich blessings to rest upon you. He does it right then. And then he can say, "Go in peace to announce the Good News of the Lord." You are sent to bring this good news, this word of God to family, friends, neighbors, strangers, and the entire world. Friends, today, stir into flame the gift you have been given. Amen.

• Father Willy's inspirational homily was recorded live this morning during Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Please view the video on our Facebook page.(You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
   
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