Dig Deep

A Reflection on the Second Reading for October 10th, 2021:
Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Hebrews
4.12-13

The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

And before God no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.
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“The word of God is living and active... ” 

There was a time when God’s word was just letters on a page to me. I read it but I didn’t really understand or appreciate it. Then I began praying for more of the Holy Spirit in my life. I don’t know if you’ve ever done this but I highly recommend it! One of the things that changed for me at that time was that God’s word became living and active for me. I began to see scripture references flash before my eyes and when I would look them up, they always spoke to me in a powerful way. I would pray and ask God to help me with some problem, decision, or situation, and I would find Him speaking to me through His word. This has been one of the most significant changes in my faith life. God’s word is alive and actively seeking ears that hear Him.

“... sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow... ”
    
God’s word cuts through the crap. It doesn’t beat around the bush. It gets right to the point; sometimes piercing my heart in a way that hurts initially but is ultimately for my good. It can divide what I want from what I need; what I desire from what’s truly good for me. It cuts my pride, my sloth, my envious spirit to the quick. It gets right down to the innermost part of my bones and shows me what's right and what’s not right for me. It makes me try to be a better person.

“... it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
    
Yikes! I can’t decide if this makes me feel uneasy or comforted. I guess it’s a little of both. In the times when I’m trying really hard to do good and follow God’s will for my life then I’m glad that He judges the intentions of my heart. At other times, when I’m not feeling kind or loving I don’t want Him to see my heart or know my thoughts. Ultimately, He is the judge and keeping that in mind should always lead me to gratitude.

“And before God no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one whom we must render an account.”

This, friends, should give us great comfort. God sees us just as we are. Full of warts and blemishes and not so honorable intentions and yet He still loves us! He still sacrifices everything so we can be with Him for eternity.

Our God is a good god who gives us His word to prune and slice and dig deep into our souls in order that we can know, love, and serve Him in this life and the next. 

Holy Spirit come, and open our eyes and our ears to hear the Word that is so lovingly offered to us. Amen




​Maxine Brown
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