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What strange words - eating a scroll that tastes sweet but turns one's stomach sour! The scroll, of course, is the Word of God. This Word is indeed sweet but there is a sharp edge to it too. Taking God's Word into ourselves as food and allowing it to sustain and transform us also lays a burden on us. In the vision, John is told to prophesy, and Jesus, being the embodiment of the Word, also exercises the role of prophet in the cleansing of the temple and His teaching of the people. Our religion is definitely a personal but not a private matter. Worship cannot be confined to the sanctuary or to set times and places. The Word impels us to bring God's mercy and justice to a suffering world that hungers for healing and redemption. As we read and meditate on the Gospels and other passages from Scripture, we can imagine it sustaining us and actually becoming part of who we are. How does having God's Word within us make us feel or act differently? Can we still speak and act in ways to which we have become accustomed? Do we now have the courage to stand up for what is right, to "rock the boat" a bit and not consent to injustice by our silence? God's Word is sweet indeed, but definitely moves us in new directions. Lord, may Your holy Word become part of who I am. |
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P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H
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That politicians and economists may feel it their duty to attend to the welfare of all people, giving first place to the most poverty-stricken
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This prophetic year 2000 projecting into the 3rd millennium is faced with people suffering from hunger, under-development, lack of work, abandoned old people, the sick without care and those suffering from the scourge of drugs. In front of these facts we are called to review our conduct, choices, commitment in the light of the causes which have determined them. Every Christian who is a member of a state and an economic system must take on himself specific responsibilities to overcome these negative elements which greatly disturb the harmonious development of persons and peoples and are at the root of poverty and of its increase. We cannot place ourselves in a situation of passive waiting for other people's conversion. Our personal conversion is the starting point for hope for the necessary changes of direction. It is our hearts we must change. Conversion is a grace given to those who ask the Saviour for it. We turn to the Lord, with insistent prayer, and ask that we may influence the "politicians and economists to feel it their duty to attend to the welfare of all people and especially the most poverty-stricken". | |
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