At Mass this morning, the gentleman seated directly in front of me paid no attention whatsoever to the homily. He was fidgeting in his seat, looking to the right and left as the pastor told several anecdotes related to today’s readings. Halfway through the homily, the pastor quoted from memory Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:35-45. At the very instant the pastor quoted the first word of the Scripture passage, this man’s head literally whipped around ninety degrees, and he stared intently at the priest. He listened in rapt attention, riveted and motionless for the remainder of the homily. The change was striking to observe. There’s something different about the Word of God.
Our words can be helpful to others, but it’s God’s Word that has the power to reach hearts. Jonah announced God’s Word and got immediate results (Jon 3:4ff). Jesus spoke God’s “now-word” (see Ez 33:30) and got immediate results; the disciples immediately abandoned their nets and followed Him (Mk 1:17, 20).
God’s Word is living and effective. It pierces hearts (Heb 4:12). It always does the job (Is 55:10-11). It reverberates inside people’s hearts and “produces of itself” results in the lives of men and women (Mk 4:28). Revise your vocabulary. Speak God’s Word — for a change.

Rescript:  "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period from December 1, 2020 through January 31, 2021. Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 14, 2020"

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.