Third Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C
Sunday, January 26, 2025
Today, we celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God. This celebration invites us to deepen our relationship with God’s Word, recognizing it as a source of strength, guidance, and inspiration. The Sunday of the Word of God is celebrated yearly on the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. It was instituted by Pope Francis in 2019 to dedicate a specific Sunday to the celebration, study, and dissemination of the Word of God. We open our hearts to the transformative power of the Scriptures and are reminded to engage with it daily. “Read assiduously and learn as much as you can. Let sleep find you holding your Bible, and when your head nods, let it be resting on the sacred page.” — St. Jerome (Fourth century).
The Catechism emphasizes the importance of Scripture in the liturgy and the life of the Church and encourages the faithful to engage with the Scriptures regularly, as they are essential for spiritual growth and understanding of the faith. Here are some practices that foster more profound engagement with the Scriptures to enrich our lives:
Make Scripture reading a daily routine to gain familiarity with God’s Word. Read as a family to create an environment where the Word of God is a guiding presence.
Listen to The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) at https://loveandserve.org/bible-podcast. A daily 10–20-minute podcast that guides you through the entire Bible in 365 days.
Visit the US Conference of Catholic Bishops website (https://loveandserve.org/usccb) to read or listen to the daily Readings or to watch a video reflection on the Readings.
Engage in Lectio Divina, a traditional method of slow, contemplative reading of the Scriptures. This practice invites us to read a passage multiple times, contemplating its significance and allowing it to resonate within us. Google for “guided Lectio Divina” video and podcast links or read instructions from the Diocese of Lansing, Michigan, website: https://loveandserve.org/lectio.
The Catechism emphasizes combining praying with listening, “… prayer should accompany the reading of Sacred Scripture, so that a dialogue takes place between God and man. For ‘we speak to him when we pray; we listen to him when we read the divine oracles.”‘ —Catechism §2653.
Participate in Bible Study groups in the local or nearby churches. These settings provide opportunities for discussion, reflection, and shared insights of the Word of God.
These are just some examples, with many more resources available online. “When you begin to read or listen to the Holy Scriptures, pray to God thus: ‘Lord Jesus Christ, open the ears and eyes of my heart so that I may hear Thy words and understand them, and may fulfill Thy will” —St. Ephraim the Syrian (Fourth century).
Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord.