Short Reflection
A version of our Short Reading is often used to introduce a sermon, albeit with a variant.
In this short prayer, the homilist is seeking that his/her words may be one with God’s word.
It’s a conjoining with the Word of God – indeed Vatican 2’s Constitution on the Liturgy speaks highly of the homily as part of the proclamation of the Word of God:
The treasures of the bible are to be opened up more lavishly, so that richer fare may be provided for the faithful at the table of God’s word.
In this way a more representative portion of the holy scriptures will be read to the people in the course of a prescribed number of years.
By means of the homily the mysteries of the faith and the guiding principles of the Christian life are expounded from the sacred text, during the course of the liturgical year; the homily, therefore, is to be highly esteemed as part of the liturgy itself;
in fact, at those Masses which are celebrated with the assistance of the people on Sundays and feasts of obligation, it should not be omitted except for a serious reason.
Vatican 2: Sacrosanctum Concilium, 47f
The final words, that the homily should not be omitted except for a serious reason, shows the vital importance of preaching.
For it unpacks the Word of God, making it intelligible to God’s people in this time and in this place.
On the mountain
We read about Moses on Mt Sinai and about Jesus, talking with Moses and Elijah on the mountain.
In both of these stories, God is speaking – in fact there is a conversation., with speakers and listeners.
A dialogue
The variant of this verse, “and the mediation of all our hearts” reminds us that there is indeed a dialogue going on. Even if only one person is speaking, there is still a dialogue as we attune our ears and minds and hearts to what the homilist is saying.
This is full, conscious and actual participation in the sacred liturgy, to which we aim day by day, Sunday by Sunday, Season by Season and year by year as God works out God’s purpose in our lives.
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