July 4th
July 3
July 2
The seed sown on good soil is the one who hears the Word and understands it: this one bears fruit.
July 1st
Let us prepare our hearts to receive Jesus
Word of life
After speaking in parables to a large crowd on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus turns to his disciples and explains the profound meaning of his words. The protagonist of our story is the Word of God, compared to a small and fragile seed. Stones, thorns, and birds can prevent it from germinating, taking root, and producing ripe ears of grain, but the wise sower knows its surprising vitality. Through these images, Jesus reveals the relationship between humanity and the Word that God offers abundantly, but some receive it while others, for various reasons, let it fall without bearing fruit. Indeed, in the human heart, superficiality and excessive material concerns threaten the miracle of supernatural life that God himself desires to kindle in his creatures. Jesus also invites us, as he did the disciples, to enter into the humble mystery of God's love, and at the same time, he personally challenges us to a decision: what kind of "soil" do we want to be? «The one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who bears fruit.» Listening and understanding: this seems to be the secret that makes us fertile ground, where the seed of the Word can express its power and bear good fruit. How valuable it is to be open to listening! It is the spiritual space to let in the life of God, who always precedes us with his mercy, with the patience of the worker who knows and respects the times of ripening. The words of God, as Chiara Lubich writes, «illuminate not only the mind but the whole being, because they are light, love, and life. They give peace—the peace that Jesus calls his own: »my peace«—even in moments of turmoil and anguish. They give full joy even in the midst of the pain that sometimes grips the soul. They give strength, especially when dejection or discouragement arises. They set us free because they open the way to Truth.“ […] A passionate love for the Word of God must also be born within us: let us receive it attentively when it is proclaimed to us in churches, let us read it, study it, meditate on it… But above all, we are called to live it. […] By living a Word of Jesus, we live the whole Gospel, because in each of His Words He gives Himself completely, He Himself comes to live in us […] and replaces our way of thinking, wanting, and acting in all circumstances of life.”[1] »The one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the one who hears the Word and understands it: this one truly bears fruit.« Wambil from Mexico tells us: »There was a time when I felt trapped in a deep hole. I was immersed in an abusive relationship, trying to escape and fix everything on my own. Influenced by social media and the noise of the outside world, I often pursued things that were not part of God’s plan. Despite all my efforts, I still felt empty and without a purpose.« I knew that love is a universal language, so I started volunteering, and I found a way of acting that could only come from God. Over time, I discovered a place to listen to His Word and grow in my relationship with Him. I am deeply grateful.» Even when we feel like barren, stony ground, the same Word is effective, as the prophet Isaiah reveals: «As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth, making it bud and flourish, […] so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it» (Isaiah 55:10-11). Sustained by this hope, in a time dominated by fears and tensions, let us also cultivate trust in the women and men with whom we share our lives. Let us trust in their capacity to bear good fruit and to create opportunities for listening and dialogue, so that we may walk together toward the horizon of fraternity. Letizia Magri and the Word of Life team [1] C. Lubich, Word of Life March 2003: Ciudad Nueva n. 396 (2003/3), pp. 24-25.
Embrace wisdom
If we pay attention to the world around us, we realize that what often prevails is the noise of opinions. Everyone wants to have their say, and spaces for debate, where everyone seems to know everything, are multiplying. However, we don't always find genuine wisdom in them; sometimes, on the contrary, there is a risk of fostering superficiality, ignorance, and a progressive cultural impoverishment. Given this panorama, what truly deserves to be heard? There are words, and then there are Words. What distinguishes them? We can call Words, with a capital W, those—written or spoken—that, once we make them our own, have the capacity to transform us. They are words that express wisdom because they offer a key to understanding human existence, the desire for transcendence, and the relationships that bind human beings to one another and to nature. As Rabindranath Tagore, the Indian poet, philosopher, and writer, wrote: "Words reach the heart when they have come from the heart." The Word does not belong to a specific time, place, or religion. Xavier Melloni, anthropologist, theologian, and phenomenologist of religion, observes that for some, the Word is inspired by the Holy Spirit, while for others, it is the fruit of the illumination of conscience. But how do we recognize when we are in the presence of the Word? «We can say that the Word is what makes us capable of opening ourselves to others, of giving ourselves, and of remaining silent, going beyond ourselves toward ever-greater depths. The authentic word is vital and generates life»[1]. Thus, the Word, understood in a broad sense, liberates us from the bonds to which we are subjected; it does not depend on hidden interests, it is not coercive, but it becomes idolatry when it ceases to be wise. And yet, the Word does not always resonate in the same way within us, even when it is expressed with the same words. Its reception is closely linked to the moment in life we are experiencing. Superficiality, worries faced with self-sufficiency, or indifference are obstacles that prevent the Word from bearing fruit in us and, through us, in others. Wise Word becomes a solid point of reference on the human journey. Sometimes it offers us answers; other times it raises new questions; it allows us to contemplate things from a different perspective and open ourselves to dimensions of reality that we were previously unable to perceive; it sets us free and leads us to experience what is truly essential for our existence. Only the authentic Word, the wise Word, can transform our way of thinking and acting. Accepted and lived, it helps us to give greater meaning to our existence, to experience deeper relationships, and to build together a more humane and fraternal society. Jordi recounts: «Each encounter with the Word is personal and intimate. My encounter with the Word came after years focused on work and technology.» Reading books from different fields—biographies, novels, philosophy, etc.—awakened in me a search for wisdom to give meaning to life's big questions, sustain my existence, and understand why the Word manifests itself in such diverse and seemingly contradictory ways. On this path, I encountered the wisdom of Chiara Lubich, expressed in a fresh and vital reinterpretation of the Gospel and witnessed through an inspiring lifestyle. Despite her confessional nature, she proved capable of connecting with people who, like me, have no religious convictions and of involving them in the journey of fraternity. This month, let us nourish ourselves with wise words, make them our own, and transform them into life. And, if we have the opportunity, let us share the fruits they bear with those who, like us, are on a journey. In this way, we will build together a more humane and meaningful coexistence. This reflection is inspired by Jordi Illa's intervention at the International Congress promoted by the Center for Dialogue with People of Non-Religious Convictions in 2013, entitled "The Word". [1] See Xavier Melloni, Vers un temps de síntesi, Fragmenta Editorial, Barcelona, 2011, p. 55.
