Primacy of Holy Scripture: Verbum Domini

On the Primacy of Holy Scripture: Verbum Domini

QN. Where do we find true wisdom today, for right living?

“It is not right for us to neglect the Word of God…” (Acts 6:1-2). In these few words, the Magisterium of the Church, places holy Scripture at the center of our Christian Faith. In holy Scripture, God speaks to us directly. In St. Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in justice, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work” (2Timothy 3:16-17). Therefore, “it is not right, to neglect the Word of God.”

This is the same Word of God that St. John speaks of when he says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… All things came to be through him and without him nothing came to be” (John 1:1-3). This Word became flesh and lived among us, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. God the Father speaks the Word, the Holy Spirit opens our minds and leads us into the fullness of truth that is contained in the Word that the Father speaks. Through this Word, the Father directs, guides, and inspires us to lead a good life.

The letter to the Hebrews reminds us that, “the Word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). This means that the Word of God makes a striking difference between good and evil, between true and false. Every aspect of human growth and development needs to be grounded in the holy Word of God. The Judiciary needs the Word of God, the Legislature needs the Word of God, Scientists need the Word of God, the Education system needs the Word of God, to mention but a few.

They stumble, those who disobey the Word of God. For, the root of all evil is disobedience to God’s commandments. A refusal to listen to the instruction of God as is given to us in holy Scripture. Society today is in complete rebellion, not wanting to listen to God’s Word. And as a result, there is rapid moral decay and identity crisis because God’s Word goes unheeded. Now we have people who are completely confused about gender and sex identification. Today we find two signs of man and woman on the same restroom door. There are men who do not want to be men anymore, they want to become women, and vice versa. There are women fighting to kill their babies. Some parents and teachers do not teach the truth anymore, they are afraid of losing their jobs, or afraid of restricting their children’s ego. What has happened to our society? Who has the answers to these questions? God? Well, if God created us, then He knows best how we are supposed to function. Where should we find true wisdom today? Wisdom that gives us true joy and happiness.

Listen to the words of Prophet Jeremiah, “when I found your words, I devoured them; they became my joy, the happiness of my heart” (Jer. 15:16). Like Jeremiah, we need to rediscover our true joy and happiness in God’s Word. And we do well to remember that the most important moment of our prayer time is not when we speak to God, but when we keep silence in our hearts in order to listen to the Word of God. So, “let us be swift to listen, and slow to speak.” Taking a break from too much noise and too much talk, and allowing ourselves the company of sacred silence, is one way to re-orient ourselves to what is true, beautiful, holy and pleasing to the human heart.

The primary task of the Church is to teach faith and morals. Jesus said, “Go into the whole world and preach the Good News to every creature” (Mark 16:15). That is the meaning of the word Magisterium. It comes from a Latin word, Magister which means Teacher. Therefore, Magisterium is a body of teachers. In the Word of God, we find comfort, true happiness and peace. This is where we lie down in green pastures and feast on this inexhaustible stream of life.

“It is not right, to neglect the Word of God…” Let us once again open our hearts and minds and listen carefully to the sacred instruction of God. For, it is in God’s Word that we discover our true identity, and vocation for our lives. For, “every best gift, and perfect gift comes from above.”

Amen

Homily given byFr.Wasswa on the Fourth Sunday of Easter 2023