Being Nourished by the Word

This week is National Bible Week. Although we are to be conscious of the central importance of the Bible the whole year round, this week are asked to reflect more intensely on the power of the Bible, the Word of God, to nourish our souls. To be nourished by the Bible, three things are essential: Read the Word, Live the word, Proclaim the Word.

READ THE WORD. It is a beautiful practice to read the Word everyday. Just as we feed ourselves with physical food to strengthen our bodies for the day's work, so must we feed ourselves with the Word of God to strengthen our souls. Each day, we have to face many trials and tests, and only with the Word of God read at the beginning of each day can we weather these tests of faith.

LIVE THE WORD. It is not enough to read the Word. If we only read the Word, then we make it no different from a textbook or a magazine. Living the Word is the way to let the Word penetrate our hearts and allow it to shape our hearts. This, of course, is a grace from God. However, we can be assured that the Holy Spirit is there to assist us in this process.

PROCLAIM THE WORD. Finally, the reading and living of the Word of God issue into proclamation. This means announcing to others what we have discovered as we read and live the Word of God. This means telling them as Mary Magdalene did to the other disciples on Easter morning: "I have seen the Lord!" It is to allow others to have a glimpse of the mystery and beauty of the Word.

Read the Word. Live the Word. Proclaim the Word. May the Word of God burn in our hearts that we may be light for the world and draw others to the true Light which is Christ Himself!