Live In The Word - April 9th 2025

Summary

In this reflective homily, the speaker explores the mystery of Good Friday, focusing on why many of Jesus' disciples turned against Him so quickly. By examining a passage in the Gospel, the speaker emphasizes the importance of making God's word a 'home' in our hearts, which allows us to live by it fully. Using the example of St. Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan's imprisonment, the speaker illustrates how deeply internalizing scripture can provide strength in times of adversity. The homily calls for a deeper engagement with sacred scripture during Holy Week, encouraging reflection, love, and action in response to God's word.

Takeaways

• 😀 The sudden turn against Jesus by many of His disciples during Good Friday is perplexing, and understanding it requires looking at their relationship with His word.
• 😀 Jesus emphasizes that for His word to truly transform us, it must find a home in us, meaning we must fully embrace and live by it.
• 😀 Home symbolizes a place of refuge, identity, and belonging, and similarly, God's word must be that foundational force in our lives.
• 😀 The Jews who believed in Jesus but turned against Him didn't let His word become their home, which is a key reason for their rejection of Him.
• 😀 Saint Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan's story illustrates the power of memorizing and holding onto God's word in difficult times, as it became his source of strength.
• 😀 Making God's word our home means more than intellectual understanding; it involves loving the word and allowing it to guide our actions.
• 😀 Holy Week offers a special opportunity to live out sacred scripture, with powerful readings that connect us deeply to the story of Jesus' passion and resurrection.
• 😀 St. Thomas Aquinas provides a three-step approach to making God's word our home: belief with the mind, love with the heart, and living it out in daily life.
• 😀 The long gospel readings during Holy Week, especially the Passion narratives, invite us to engage with scripture not just as listeners but as active participants.
• 😀 Sacred scripture is not just a historical account but a living word that continues to speak to us, urging us to embody its message and live it out in our daily lives.

Q & A

Why do many people turn against Jesus so quickly, as seen during Good Friday?

The reason many people turned against Jesus quickly was because His word did not find a home in them. They did not truly accept and internalize His teachings, which led to their rejection of Him.

What is the significance of Jesus' statement 'If you make my word your home'?

The phrase 'make my word your home' refers to allowing Jesus' teachings to deeply influence and shape one's life. It involves not just knowing His word but living by it, making it a central part of who you are.

What does it mean for Jesus' word to have a home in us?

Having Jesus' word make a home in us means that His teachings become an integral part of our lives. It’s a relationship where His word nurtures, strengthens, and guides us in a profound and personal way.

How does the concept of a 'home' relate to the way we should interact with Jesus' teachings?

A home is a place where we feel safe, loved, and rooted. Similarly, we should approach Jesus' teachings with a sense of deep affection and commitment, allowing them to shape our identity and actions, just as a home shapes who we are.

How did Saint Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan view sacred scripture during his imprisonment?

Saint Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, while imprisoned in Vietnam, viewed sacred scripture as a vital source of strength. Despite having no paper or notebook, he managed to recall and write down over 300 verses from memory, using them to nourish his spirit during his confinement.

What does Saint Thomas Aquinas suggest as a practical approach to making sacred scripture our home?

Saint Thomas Aquinas offers a three-step approach: first, to believe in the word with our minds, understanding and accepting its truth; second, to love the word with our hearts, which means loving Jesus Himself; and third, to live the word out, putting it into practice in our daily lives.

What role does Holy Week play in deepening our relationship with sacred scripture?

Holy Week is a time when sacred scripture takes on a special significance. The gospels read during this time, including the Passion narratives, invite us to reflect deeply on Jesus' sacrifice and to actively engage with scripture as we journey through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

What impact can hearing the Passion of Christ during Good Friday have on individuals?

Hearing the Passion of Christ on Good Friday can be a powerful moment of conversion for many people. The intense reflection on Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice can lead individuals to a deeper understanding of His love and inspire them to make changes in their lives.

Why is it important to both hear and live out sacred scripture?

It is important to both hear and live out sacred scripture because the teachings of Jesus are not just for passive reflection but are meant to be put into practice. By living out His word, we embody the truths of scripture in our daily actions, transforming our lives.

What is the role of scripture in the spiritual journey of believers during Holy Week?

During Holy Week, scripture plays a central role in guiding believers through the events of Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection. It helps deepen their understanding and spiritual connection to these sacred events, culminating in a renewed commitment to live by the word of God.