Daily Mass Reading & Meditation “The Word Among Us” for Wednesday, 19 February 2014 ~ Catholic Meditations

Daily Mass Reading & Meditation “The Word Among Us” for Wednesday, 19 February 2014 ~ Catholic Meditations

Meditation: James 1:19 So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.[a] 22 But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he sees himself, and goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of freedom, and continues, not being a hearer who forgets, but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in what he does.

26 If anyone among you thinks himself to be religious while he doesn’t bridle his tongue, but deceives his heart, this man’s religion is worthless. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Footnotes:

a. James 1:21 or, preserve your life.

6th Week in Ordinary Time

Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you. (James 1:21)

James’ writing is peppered with vivid metaphors. Images like surf being tossed by the wind, mirror gazing, and ship rudders all illustrate his teachings on discipleship. Today’s first reading is a prime example as he urges us to “humbly welcome the word that has been planted” in our hearts (James 1:21).

What’s so special about God’s word? Where is the grace in it? Well, it was by his word that God brought everything into existence: “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). It was his “all-powerful word” that sprang down from heaven to bring God’s justice on the earth (Wisdom 18:15). And it’s his word that has the power to save our very souls (James 1:21). No wonder we ought to welcome it!

So how do we do that? Before you invite a guest into your home, you usually make sure that your home is clean and uncluttered. Similarly, James urges us to get rid of the clutter of sin in our lives: “Put away all filth and evil excess” (James 1:21). In humility, repent before the Lord of ways that you don’t honor him. James pointed specifically to ways of relating to other people that are characterized by impatience, anger, or harshness. Repenting, or “uncluttering” ourselves in this area, can help create an open and welcoming environment in our hearts—exactly what we need for the word of God to take root in us.

Welcoming God’s word also means spending time with him, just as we would do for houseguests. It means taking the time to be with him so that his word finds a home in us.

When we welcome God’s word in this way, we find that it has the power to redeem and transform our souls—that part of us that thinks, feels, imagines, and desires. You can almost sense this happening at times when, while praying or meditating on Scripture, you experience the Lord giving you peace or softening your heart toward someone or filling you with a desire to share his love with someone else. Devote an allowance of time every day just to sit with the Lord. Then look for opportunities during the day to be with him and “catch up.” It’s during these times together that you can really sense his grace blossoming within you.

“Jesus, I welcome your grace within me.” Amen!

Psalm 15:2 He who walks blamelessly does what is right,
    and speaks truth in his heart;

3 He who doesn’t slander with his tongue,
    nor does evil to his friend,
    nor casts slurs against his fellow man;

4 In whose eyes a vile man is despised,
    but who honors those who fear Yahweh;
    he who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and doesn’t change;

5 he who doesn’t lend out his money for usury,
    nor take a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things shall never be shaken.

Mark 8:22 He came to Bethsaida. They brought a blind man to him, and begged him to touch him. 23 He took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village. When he had spit on his eyes, and laid his hands on him, he asked him if he saw anything.

24 He looked up, and said, “I see men; for I see them like trees walking.”

25 Then again he laid his hands on his eyes. He looked intently, and was restored, and saw everyone clearly. 26 He sent him away to his house, saying, “Don’t enter into the village, nor tell anyone in the village.”

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