While most homilies for this 23rd Sunday of ordinary time [A] would focus on how we are called to help call one another into community, or on the sacrament of reconciliation, In my preparation for today, I was drawn to part of the last line of todays gospel ….. “Where two or more are gathered in my name, I am there with them”
God is truly and really present as we gather. But God’s real presence is more than just when we gather. In fact as Catholics, we believe in three Real Presences. The first, of course, is the Eucharist, and we Catholics are really very good at understanding the real presence in the Eucharist. But that is not the only real presence. God is truly and really present as we gather in God’s name, as we do at this Mass. And it doesn’t have to be a full church! Just one other person is enough! And God is also truly and really present as God’s word is proclaimed.
And if you think of it, our liturgy reflects all of these presences of God. We begin our liturgy by praying together as a community. By asking each other, and God, for forgiveness as we pray. Later, we pray again as community for the needs of our community – and our world. Almost half of our liturgy is the Liturgy of the Word. Recognizing God’s presence in God’s word as it is proclaimed. Only then do we move to the second half of our mass, the Liturgy of the Eucharist, where we celebrate God’s real presence in the Eucharist. So, our Mass is much more than ‘coming to church and receiving communion.’ It is encountering the three Real Presences of God.
And I wanted to touch on one of those aspects today ….. God’s real presence in Scripture. As Catholics, we are quite comfortable sitting before the Real Presence of God in the Eucharist. In Benediction. In Holy Hours in front of the Tabernacle. And in our experience of those moments, we allow ourselves to be touched by God, to be encountered by the Divine.
For some of us, we gather together outside of mass to pray as a group. Often this is around a particular style of prayer that resonates with us. It could be the Rosary, or the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, It could be charismatic prayer, or meditation and contemplation. And just as it is when we do Eucharistic Adoration, God is truly and really present to us as we pray.
But I suspect that being aware of the real presence of God in Scripture is one of our biggest challenges as Catholics. For most here today, the only scripture you will read, or hear, is for 5 minutes on Sunday. 5 minutes.
And thats for 4 different readings ! Old Testament, Psalm, New Testament and Gospel !! 5 minutes. It’s kind of like me telling you that I exercise regularly. 5 minutes a week. doing 4 different exercises. Like – thats gonna work ……
As Catholics, we are called to be nourished by scripture. And not just by listening to it 5 minutes a week. So how can we let Scripture nourish us ? Firstly, The Word of God is alive, and God works through that word to speak to us in our hearts. The time we spend reflecting on passages in scripture is in itself a powerful form of prayer – and we are called by the Church to read scriptures for personal encouragement and inspiration.
Let me give you an example ….. last century, when I was in the first year of my Seminary studies, I came across a passage in one of Peter’s letters that has been the cornerstone of my understanding of my role, of my purpose, on the earth. Have you ever wondered what the meaning of your life is? the purpose of your life? I found mine.
It’s there in the first letter of Peter, chapter 4, verse10. In that Verse, God revealed Godself to me, and revealed me to myself. I can’t tell you how this changed my life and my perspectives, my sense of who I am, and my sense of purpose. Would you like to know what it said?? …..Sorry – I’m not going to tell you ….. School has started again. You will have to look it up for homework. 1Peter4:10
Secondly, there are levels and levels of meaning within the scriptures; so when we move beyond the realm of reading Scripture for inspiration and as a form of prayer, we discover deeper and deeper insights into God’s message for us personally, and for our world. We see a depth and a breadth that expand our perspectives about life and about God. John’s Gospel is especially good at this. As we break open the scriptures, understand the historical context in which they were written, the radical nature of the teachings, the insights into not just human nature, but into our final spiritual evolution … well – it nourishes, empowers, enlightens, and inspires our faith. The Word of God is truly alive, and it can be for us precious moments of encounter with God. Does it work? Absolutely!
So how can we begin to more fully encounter the real presence of God in God’s word? How do we begin to let Scripture nourish us? Let me suggest that each week, you take some time to look at the readings for the following Sunday. They are not hard to find – they are in your missalette, and on the St. John’s website. Our Parish website also has links to reflections on the readings.
Find a quiet place and read…. and ponder. No agenda ….. In much the same way as you would sit in stillness before the Blessed Sacrament, just open your bible, or your missalette and let God’s Spirit draw you to the words. Not only will taking the time to reflect on the readings help make the Sunday liturgy richer and more relevant to you and your needs, it is also a powerful form of prayer and meditation.
So, what’s the message for today? Don’t just spend 5 minutes a week encountering God in God’s word. Take time with God, just the two of you, and let God speak to you through God’s word. Spending time encountering God in scripture changed my life. Through Scripture, God revealed to me my life’s meaning and purpose.
Getting to know God in Scripture can change your life too.