Pope Francis instituted the Sunday of the Word of God, motu proprio [on his own initiative], issued on 30 September 2019, as the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time. It highlights the presence of God in every person’s life. Indeed, God walks with us, and through his Word, he is present among us.
The Word of God is proclaimed at every Mass and the Lord himself speaks to us. The Congregation for Liturgy and Sacraments points out that pastors have the responsibility to explain the Bible to the faithful so that they can understand its contents. It also recommends organising catechetical gatherings before celebrating the Sunday of the Word of God to emphasise the importance of the Bible in liturgical celebrations.
Pope Francis has expressed that the Word is a “love letter from God” and encourages believers to read the gospels because the scriptures help us hear his voice, see their Lord, and receive the Holy Spirit; strengthening our relationship with God.
St. Jerome once said, “Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ.” Pope Francis stresses that observing the Sunday of the Word of God does not mean that we only value it on that day. On the contrary, reading the Bible should be a daily practice.
This Sunday also promotes the spirit of ecumenism, as the scriptures indicate the path to unity and reconciliation, and encourages people to pray for Christian unity.
The worldwide Church celebrates the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from January 18 to 25, in proximity to the Sunday of the Word of God. The theme of the year is “You shall love the Lord your God… and your neighbour as yourself” [Luke 10:27]. It prompts reflection on whether we have extended a helping hand to our neighbours and addressed the needs of vulnerable communities. The scriptures have a unique power to open hearts and minds, prompting people to abandon individualism and willingly share with others.
Let us cultivate faith, listen to and read the Word of God regularly, and pray for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. May we also wish for a swift resolution and a journey toward peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. SE
