Blessed Are Those Who Come to Share the Word

Prayer-Soldier

Blessed Are Those Who Come to Share the Word

Scripture:

Then Esdras the priest brought the law before the multitude of men and women, and all those that could understand, in the first day of the seventh month. And he read it plainly in the street that was before the water gate, from the morning until midday, before the men, and the women, and all those that could understand: and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book. And Esdras the scribe stood upon a step of wood, which he had made to speak upon.

And Esdras opened the book before all the people: for he was above all the people: and when he had opened it, all the people stood. And Esdras blessed the Lord the great God: and all the people answered, Amen, amen: lifting up their hands: and they bowed down, and adored God with their faces to the ground.

And they read in the book of the law of God distinctly and plainly to be understood: and they understood when it was read. And Nehemias (he is Athersatha) and Esdras the priest and scribe, and the Levites who interpreted to all the people, said: This is a holy day to the Lord our God: do not mourn, nor weep: for all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. And he said to them: Go, eat fat meats, and drink sweet wine, and send portions to them that have not prepared for themselves: because it is the holy day of the Lord, and be not sad: for the joy of the Lord is our strength. (Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10)

For as the body is one and has many members; and all the members of the body, whereas they are many, yet are one body: So also is Christ. For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether bond or free: and in one Spirit we have all been made to drink. For the body also is not one member, but many. If the foot should say: Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body: Is it therefore not of the Body? And if the ear should say: Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body: Is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were the eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, every one of them, in the body as it has pleased him. And if they all were one member, where would be the body? But now there are many members indeed, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand: I need not your help. Nor again the head to the feet: I have no need of you. Yea, much, more those that seem to be the more feeble members of the body are more necessary And such as we think to be the less honorable members of the body, about these we put more abundant honor: and those that are our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. But our comely parts have no need: but God has tempered the body together, giving to that which wanted the more abundant honor. That there might be no schism in the body: but the members might be mutually careful one for another. And if one member suffer any thing, all the members suffer with it: or if one member glory, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ and members of member. And God indeed has set some in the church; first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly doctors: after that miracles: then the graces of healings, helps, governments, kinds of tongues, interpretations of speeches. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all doctors? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the grace of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? (1 Corinthians 12:12-30)

For as much as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a narration of the things that have been accomplished among us, according as they have delivered them unto us, who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word: it seemed good to me also, having diligently attained to all things from the beginning, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the verity of those words in which you have been instructed.

And Jesus returned in the power of the spirit, into Galilee: and the fame of him went out through the whole country. And he taught in their synagogues and was magnified by all. And he came to Nazareth, where he was brought up: and he went into the synagogue, according to his custom, on the sabbath day: and he rose up to read. And the book of Isaias the prophet was delivered unto him. And as he unfolded the book, he found the place where it was written: The spirit of the Lord is upon me. Wherefore he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he has sent me to heal the contrite of heart, to preach deliverance to the captives and sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of reward. And when he had folded the book, he restored it to the minister and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them: This day is fulfilled this scripture in your ears. (Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21)

Reflection:

Blessed are those who draw near to the Word for as it fills their hearts, they are filled with the blessings of His ways. The Word of the Lord guides us and blesses us. To understand the Word is to understand the love He has for us and the love He asks that we have for Him and one another. Those who draw close to the Word learn of the blessings of His mercy and the peace and joy which He brings to those who seek Him.

Blessed are those who share the Word, for they share the peace and love which may only be found through the Word. As the Word spreads from heart to heart, the joy it brings shall fill the land. Blessed are the parents who share the Word with their children, for as they do, they pass the Word from generation to generation. Blessed are the children who receive the Word, for what they receive, they will be able to give.

Blessed are those who come together to share the Word, for what is revealed to them is a better way. As they are filled with it, the ways of evil are diminished. In the moments the Word is shared, every heart should rejoice for as they receive the Word, they receive Him.

Each child of His creation is granted a measure of blessings and gifts of which to share. He formed them first in families so that parents would care for their children and prepare each child for the day they will care for others. Parents who bless their children with love will pass love to generations to come. The child of one generation will be the builder of another.

Families are called together to form communities and in communities to become members of His church. The members of His church are called to share of their gifts and share of their blessings. Some will be called to become parents while others will be called to other vocations. As they share of His Word in all that they do, they build blessings for one another and give glory to the blessings of His creation. It matters not who is the greatest or least of this world, for whoever shares of His love for the blessings of another is close to Him. It is through love that He comes into our hearts.

It is through the Word that we are told of generations of old. We are told of terrible things, for it has been the way of people to fall to the seductions of evil and to share not of love, but of darkness. Some professed to follow the law, but they failed to understand the truth of the law. It is for this reason He sent the Word made flesh, so that the truth might be revealed. He was sent so that all the generations might understand.

And so it was in the house of His Father that He would reveal what He was sent to do. He spoke of the words of the prophet who told of the One who would come with the Spirit of the Lord to preach the gospel to the poor, to deliver those who were not free and to bring sight to those who did not see. He spoke of the words of the prophet who revealed the One to be sent to preach of the blessings of the Lord. He spoke of the words of the prophet and revealed that in the time of those who heard the words of the prophet, written in scripture, and spoken by Him to their ears was now fulfilled.

In the days which would come, those who drew near to Him, experienced the wisdom of the Word made flesh. They would hear from His lips what all should know so that all might live now in peace and that through Him, all might have ever lasting life. Those who witnessed heard that all the law and all the prophesy depended upon the commandments of love. Those who witnessed heard that all are called to serve one another in love. Those who witnessed heard that whoever serves the least among them, serves Him.

Only a few of the children of His creation were able to witness, but the blessing of the Word would be passed from heart to heart; and as the words of the prophet were written to scripture, so would His Word be written so that the generations might know and share with one another. Blessed are those who share the Word, for as they share, they share in Him.

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier