Words do move the hearts of individuals but good example drags others to follow. When we see someone put into practice the faith that they claim to possess then we are sure that they believe. Consider the example of a good Salesian brother who was in charge of the dining room. The rule was clear to all the boys: “Take onlywhat you will eat; don’t waste.” They all heard the word and they knew what those words meant but one threw into the trash a sandwich. Brother found the wasted sandwich and presented it before the boys. Of course, no one would own up to the offense but brother said not a word but began to eat the sandwich. The eyes of the boys couldn’t believe it but by that action there never was another action of waste in camp.
Words from God unite with the work. In Hebrew there is this word “dabar” it refers to the union of word and work. God speaks and it is done. Our faith tells us that the civic ruler who came to seek Jesus’ healing of his dying son, that leader did the right thing. His faith was only a prayerful hope in order to save his son. This leader wanted Jesus to come down to heal his son but Jesus responded, “Unless you see signs and wonders, you do not believe.” Then his faith is challenged to increase when Jesus tells him that his son lives. Now the leader leaves our Lord and, on the way, servants come rushing to tell him the fever left the boy. The response of the leader was “when” did the fever leave. At the seventh hour, they answered and he realized that it was at that very hour that Jesus told him, “Your son lives.” Now his faith is perfected and the whole household believed as well.
Now we are in the same boat each and every Sunday. The world is killing us with the pandemic, the financial breakdown, the political poundings and just trying to live a simple life. Our Father sends His Son to expose the eternal word of truth. It is clear that this world and even the Church in this world is bleeding profusely and we have no one to turn to except the Lord. He alone can speak the word that will bring our faith to its perfection.
Unless we read the Word of God daily and meditate upon it, we have only the nourishment of the Sunday sacrifice to sustain us. In a world of words, we need to put our heart to the task of reading the Gospel daily or take up the diet of psalms but we need to combat the lack of faith evident in the world with the eternal freshness of the divine word.
Consider the story of Amy Coney Barrett who was answering demonic democratic questions one after another. After confounding one democrat after another, she was asked to show her notes. They thought she had some secret outlines helping her answer all these questions. She held up her notepad and it was blank. They were baffled by this good Catholic mother who educated her kids and kept up with the law far better than they. Her words were filled with wisdom and they expressed themselves through the work of her life. Those who live in Christ echo the words and perform the works of Christ. Words and works must unite for faith to become perfect.
We could cite example after example but the best of all persons to exemplify this truth is our Lady. Her silence, her union with God’s word caused her to utter the principle of union in her response to Gabriel, “Fiat voluntas tua.” Her whole life centered around the Word made Flesh. Through the contemplation of this divine gift she was drawn to imitate and perfect her faith in her daily care of this Son of God. May God’s Word find a place in your heart and express itself in your daily duties. May you fill those works with the love that exceeds all understanding.
In the hearts of Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
Fr. Voigt
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