Millions of Catholics throughout the world will have attended Mass today. Each of them heard the word of God proclaimed in the above Scripture readings. God's word is living (Heb 4:12); it will seek to find a home in each person who heard the word today. God's word is seed (Lk 8:11); it can grow and take root within each person.

Using an analogy, this word planted within you resembles a living baby within the womb of its mother. The baby, while still an embryo, normally attaches to the mother's uterine wall and "takes root." Some mothers use chemical abortifacients to prevent the baby from taking root within them. The baby cannot take root and is aborted. If not aborted chemically, the baby will successfully take root and grow rapidly. As the baby grows, it can still be aborted surgically, which involves a violent uprooting from the mother's body.

Since God's word is living and will thus automatically grow, the question is: will you "humbly welcome the word that has taken root in you" (Jas 1:21) or will you abort the word and expel it from your life? The author of the book of James recommends that the best way to help the word take root is to do the word and not just hear it (Jas 1:22). Did you let the word planted within you last Sunday take root and grow? What will you do with the word of God planted within you today?

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 26, 2006

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