Lesson7
Christian Life Based on the Word of God
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We know the story of the famous young man of Carthage. He is St. Augustine who waslater recognized as the Father and Doctor of the Church. He tried his level best to free himselffrom his youthful evil tendencies. But it turned futile. He was disheartened. He felt life to be ameaningless emotion. Sometimes he was depressed. What is the means for liberation? He waswalking in the garden in deep thought.From somewhere a gentle and firm voice echoed his ears. “Take and read”. Before itsecho was over, he entered his room. That powerful command was very strong to read The Book.There was a Bible on the table. He just turned the page. Suddenly a verse caught his eyes. Itwas part of the Epistle to the Romans: “Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now themoment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we becamebelievers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness andput on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, notin debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarrelling and jealousy. Instead put on the Lord JesusChrist, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”(Rom 13:11-14). This word ofGod touched him. His heart was moved. He repented of his sins and began a new life. Thus weget St. Augustine, a man touched by the word of God. He started a virtuous life and became agreat man and saint. This is the miracle of the word of God.
The Functions of the Word of God
St. Paul speaks of the functions of the word of God thus: “All scripture is inspired by Godand is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every goodwork.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17) The word of God helps in the moral growth and integral progress in life.Besides, it purifies and leads men to conversion and healing.Life - Giving Word
The word of God gives life. It awakens human hearts and gives spiritual inspiration tohim. The Epistle to the Hebrews speaks thus about the life-giving power of the word of God.“Indeed the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until itdivides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to Judge the thoughts and intentions of theheart”(Heb 4:12).The word of God that influenced and led Augustine, the wayward youth of Thagastha isa beacon to all at all times. It builds fortress of resistance against the attacks of evil. It transformssinners into saints.Ignatius Loyola, born in a rich family in Spain found his high office, prestige, position andrecognition in the army very attractive. When he was wounded in the war of Pamplona andhospitalized, he was attracted by the Bible placed in his room. When he came across the life -giving word of God closely, he realized that whatever he thought as gain was not eternal. He wasattracted by the history of saints and began to think: If he and she can become saints, why can’tI? The word “For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?’’(Mk. 8:36)became the cause of the conversion of St. Francis Xavier.Sanctifying Word
The word of God acts as an elixir to liberate us from sin and sinful circumstances. Indaily life how many temptations are attracting human beings? In the Gospel we see even Jesus,the son of God, who became man had to face temptations. “one does not live by bread alone, butby every word that comes from the mouth of God”(Mt. 4:4) Jesus overcame temptations with thepower of the word of God. The Word of God is powerful to liberate us from sickness andbondages of evil.Sin will not have entrance to the one who keeps the word of God in his heart. Thepsalmist says: “I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you” (Ps. 119 : 11).God askedprophet Ezekiel to eat the word when he was sent to the house of Israel. Heate the scroll of the word of God. He ate it and it was as sweet as honey in his mouth.It is a sign to be constantly kept in our hearts and minds – the eternal treasure to behanded over to posterity “You shall put these words of mine in your heart and soul; and you shallbind them as a sign on your hand, and fix them as an emblem as frontlets between on yourforehead. Teach them to your children, talking of them when you are at home, and when you areaway, when you lie down and when you rise” (Deut.11:18-19).Life Based on the Word of God- Sign of Discipleship
Christ considers the people who listen to the word of God and act accordingly as hismother and brethren. When Jesus was told by his disciples that his mother and brothers werewaiting outside to see him, Jesus said: “My mother and my brethren are those who hear the wordof God and do it.”(Lk.8:21). St. Jerome, The father of the church says that ignorance of the Bibleis ignorance of Jesus”. “All should hold firm the Holy bible with eager and enthusiastic readingand careful study.” (DV 25). The utmost call of a Christian is to meet the word of God. Pray it andlive in it. In the words of St. Augustine “Your prayers are the words that you speak to God. Whenyou read the Bible God speaks to you.” Pope Benedict XVI makes a particular request to theyouth “I compel you to get acquainted with the Bible and to have a Bible with you so that it maybecome a direction giving machine pointing the way you must follow.”To Live a Life Based on the word of God
We must pay attention to five things in order to lead a life based on the Word of God. Wemust know the Word, hear the Word, Understand the meaning of the Word, act according to theword and pray for strength.1. Know the Word of God
The most basic thing to lead a life based on the word of God is to know it. The more weknow the word, the word –giver and the power of the word, the more we will be inspired to listento it, to understand it and to live it. People crowded around Jesus to listen His word. They knowHis greatness. Knowledge of the word of God is essential to lead a life based on the word of God.2. Listen to the Word of God
The second thing we have to do to lead a life based on the word of God is to listen to it.We must listen to the word of God with an open heart. We must know and convince that todayGod speaks to us through the written word. With this conviction, read and listen to the writtenWord. We will be able to hear the voice of God.3. Understand the Meaning of the Word of God
Understanding the meaning of the word of God is as important as listening to the word ofGod. Only through that we will be able to accept the divine message as our own. The disciples ofJesus were able to understand the full meaning of the parables only when Jesus interpretedthem. Similarly, when we listen to the talks and classes which interpret the word of God, we willbe able to understand the meaning and accept the message of the word of God.4. Act According to the Word of God
When Mary heard the word of God, she said: “Here am I the servant of the Lord; let it bewith me according to your word” (Lk.1:38). St. Joseph heard the word of God from the angel andhe obeyed and acted accordingly (Mt.1:24). Thus the family was saved. When Zacchaeus heardthe word of God and was ready to act accordingly, his family could experience salvation.(Lk.19:1-10). Similarly, only when we listen to the word of God and act accordingly, the word ofGod will bear fruit.5. Pray for Strength
We need divine power to listen to the word of God to understand it and to actaccordingly. Jesus said that unless one gets power from the Father, one cannot listen to,understand and live according to the word of God. Hence we must strengthen ourselves throughprayers and sacraments. Then only we will be able to lead a life based on the word of God.Those who remain in the word of God will be made disciples of Jesus. Jesus said that ifyou love one another, the world will know that you are my disciples (Jn 13:35). Jesus again saidthat those who hear the word of God and act accordingly are like prudent men who build theirhouses on rock (Mt. 7:28). We must be careful in the present day challenging world to listen tothe word of God, understand it and live the word of God. Our lives will become powerful andstrong enough to overcome any adverse circumstances.II. Let us Discuss
1. Life based on Word of God- a sign of discipleship.2. “How can a young people keep their way pure? By guarding it according to your word.”(Ps.119:9) “I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you” (Ps.119:11).What is the significance you have given to the word of God in your life?III. Activity
I will listen to The Gospel proclamation in order to study the word of God.IV. Let us Enlighten our Hearts
“So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but itshall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Is 55:11).Find out Answers