2. God’s word nourishes us.
“Man shall not live by bread alone, / but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Mt 4:4).
3. God’s word cuts deep into our souls.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb 4:12).
4. God’s word is forever.
“The grass withers, the flower fades, / but the word of our God will stand for ever” (Is 40:8).
5. God’s word lights our way.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet, / and a light to my path” (Ps 119:105)
We cannot become true witnesses of the gospel without growing in knowledge of God’s word. To do this, we need to develop a love of Scripture that becomes a passion burning within us. As you read the Bible, dig deeply into the words. Allow the Spirit to speak to you, drawing strength from the Church’s wisdom, and let the word of God shape your actions each day. Scripture should become so much a part of you that you will always be ready to defend your faith. Remember that the teachings of the Bible provide the power that moves your hands and feet in the service of Christ.
This Week’s Call to Action
This week, meditate on the power of God’s word. Develop a hunger for the word of God and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with understanding and a desire to mature in wisdom as you grow in your knowledge of the Scriptures. Take a specific time every day, in a place of solitude and prayer, to read and meditate on the passages of the Bible suggested in this book. Think about how you can apply what you read to specific situations in your life: at work, at home, and wherever you interact with others in this broken world.
Sunday
This week, we will focus on the power of God’s word. Scripture is a living and eternal document that should penetrate deep into our hearts and bring us insight, healing, and spiritual growth. Allow spending time with God in his word to become a familiar and enjoyable habit. This is key to growing in our relationship with Jesus and applying his truth to our everyday lives. As you cultivate the seed of God’s word in your heart, you will discover that it is an essential part of all that you are.
During Sunday Mass, as you participate in the Liturgy of the Word, remember that you are not just a spectator but an active listener. The beautiful cycle of readings that we hear at Mass repeat the rhythm of God’s saving love over and over throughout your lifetime.
Questions for Reflection
How does hearing God’s word help you to participate more fully in the celebration of the Eucharist?
Are you truly allowing God’s word to penetrate your heart and bring real and lasting change to all that you are?
How will you allow God’s word to guide you in the coming week?
Praying with Scripture
“Oh, how I love your law! / It is my meditation all the day” (Ps 119:97).
Monday
God’s word is our hope.
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Romans 15:4
Although the Bible is composed of many books written by different authors over a long period of time, it contains a consistent and unbroken message of hope for those willing to form a relationship with the Author of the words. The Church teaches firmly that the Bible can be trusted as the word of God. Because of this, we can have hope that what it tells us about God’s love for us and about our salvation is true. As Scripture itself assures us: “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Pet 1:16).
To hope is to desire what has been promised by God in his word, fully expecting that we will receive it. This great hope shapes us as Catholic men because it instructs us and empowers us to take hold of our inheritance in Christ.
God has revealed himself to us from the very beginning, pointing the way to his Son through treasures, types, prophecy, and poetry throughout the pages of Scripture. The Bible is an eternal document, which spans the centuries and speaks to hearts in every age. When we allow it to instruct us, we find all the encouragement and hope we need to live our lives for Jesus Christ.
Questions for Reflection
How would you describe your current relationship to the word of God?
What messages of hope stand out to you from the pages of Scripture?
What connections do you see between stories in the Old Testament and the New?
Praying with Scripture
“For the word of the Lord is upright; / and all his work is done in faithfulness” (Ps 33:4).
Tuesday
God’s word nourishes us.
But [Jesus] answered, “It is written,
‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 4:4
Just as we need physical food to nourish and sustain our bodies, we also need a steady diet of God’s word to nourish and sustain our spiritual life. Most of us would consider it dangerous and absurd to eat only once a week. Yet when it comes to our spiritual life, that’s exactly what many of us do. Attending Mass at least once a week is essential to cultivate our life of faith. But if we want to thrive and grow as men of character, we need to commit to nourishing our faith every day — not just on Sunday — beginning with God’s word.
God’s word is truly good food. It is a sweet experience of renewing joy, a delight that can bring peace and happiness to our troubled inner world. Consider the following passages:
Your words were found, and I ate them, / and your words became to me a joy / and the delight of my heart. (Jer 15:16)
And he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it.” Then I ate it; and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey. (Ezek 3:3)
Today, take time to enjoy the sweet satisfaction of God’s holy and eternal word. As you read your Bible, allow it to fill you and give you the nourishment your soul needs.
Questions for Reflection
What are some of your favorite Bible passages, stories, or psalms? Why are these your favorite? How do they nourish you?
What is one verse you can share with someone who is weary in spirit today?
What reasonable and regular Bible reading can you commit to over the next month?
Praying with Scripture
“How sweet are your words to my taste, / sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Ps 119:103).
Wednesday
God’s word cuts deep into our souls.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints