A Word Worth Repeating

Welcome to Word for the Week, the series in which I:

share my experience of hearing God’s Word in Mass last weekend,
explore what I believe the Lord is calling me to do about that Word, and
ask how this Word might impact your life, as well.

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This is a first!

This “Word for the Week” practice began when I was 17 years old. The pastor of our parish at the time, Fr. Jim Chelich, recommended it. He’s the one who first invited me (via his homily to the congregation) to ask the Lord for a “word” during Sunday liturgy. And then, in turn, to carry that word with me for the week. To ask God, “What do you want me to do about this word?”

Well, it’s been around 17 years since then. Which means, I’ve been carrying out this prayer practice for more than half of my life! Wow. Praise God.

But this week, on the Solemnity of Pentecost, I experienced for the first time that the Word for the Week was the very same from one week to the next.

“Come.”

Two Sundays back, I was playing for Mass at one of our local parishes. I’m looking back over the readings for that week, and I can’t really identify where that imperative showed up. Maybe it was actually in one of the prayers or the songs. Either way, it was definitely the Word that stayed with me. I remember distinctly, because right after Mass, I saw my little nephew.

He locked eyes with me from across the outdoor piazza. And then, with a huge smile, he ran straight into my arms. What a delight to pick him up and to laugh for joy. Later, as I asked the Lord, “What do you want me to do about this word?” the image of my nephew came back to me. I felt like God was inviting me to run back into His arms in that same confident, excited manner.

Then, last Sunday I attended Mass in Tempe, AZ at the Arizona State University campus parish. 10-year-old Chiara came with me. I wasn’t leading this time, but sitting in the pew with her. “Come Holy Spirit,” was a chorus that resounded again and again throughout the liturgy. And again, the word “come” resonated in my heart.

This week, as I ask the Lord what He wants me to do about that word, I’ve felt convicted that the Holy Spirit rushes to me, too! In other words, the exuberance of my little nephew was an image of how I’m called to run to the Lord. But it can also serve as a sign of how the Lord runs to me.

Remember the parable of the Prodigal Son from the Gospel of Luke? When the Father sees his son from a distance, he runs to greet him. When I was searching for this text, I came across this beautiful article from Biola Christian University. The author, Matthew Williams, explains how it was uncommon for a grown man to run in first century, Middle Eastern culture.

Not only was it uncommon, but it was an embarrassment, a disgrace. And yet, the father runs to his son. Is there an aspect of your life that evokes shame or remorse? If so, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us cast aside our embarrassment or our social constructs, and open our arms to God’s embrace. He wants to meet us right there in our fear and shame, to bring us home.

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Dick Safranski
Jordan Mendez
Julian Padilla
Jessica Cook
Kate Hicks
Deacon Tim & Lily Roberto
Carrie Brzezinski
Frances Jones
Elizabeth Herberg

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Radiance and Marital Advice

Welcome to Word for the Week, the series in which I:

share my experience of hearing God’s Word in Mass last weekend,
explore what I believe the Lord is calling me to do about that Word, and
ask how this Word might impact your life, as well.

---

What an unforgettable Christmas Season we just finished! On the Feast of Epiphany, 10-year-old Jamal and I went to a new parish that is close to our home. It was our first time visiting. And wow: this church was beautiful! For once, I felt genuinely appreciative to be wearing a face mask, since my mouth was in a wide-open smile for most of the Mass!

In every section of the church, there was something beautiful to behold: from the chandeliers throughout the towering ceiling, to the glowing dome, to huge painted stations of the cross, and every other pew filled with families and people of all different ages and cultural backgrounds. My Word for the Week only broadened my smile.

“You shall be radiant at what you see.” - Isaiah 60:5. (It matched my Word for the Week from last Epiphany, if you’d care to see the video.)

Indeed, I was already radiant at what I saw! What a difference to celebrate Mass inside of such a beautiful space. In the ensuing days, there were many sights that filled up my heart. Notably: family time while the Green Bay Packers won the top place in the NFC to begin the playoffs!

Then, last Sunday, on the Feast of the Baptism of Christ, we brought our entire family back to Mass at the new parish. It had been a number of months! The last time we attended Mass together, we were at Mass in a gym with no congregational singing.

This time, our children were especially engaged and well behaved. A small Christmas miracle to end the liturgical season! While they would normally have grown antsy at Mass in a gymnasium, I could see that they were mystified by the beautiful images of saints and angels all around the church. They were also drawn in by the music and by the young families around us.

The Word that stood out to me seemed to concern my husband, specifically: “The benefits assured to David,” from Isaiah 51:3, and “Beloved,” (the meaning of David’s name) from 1 John 5:1. My initial reaction was course-corrected in prayer. At first, I thought, “I’m called to bring those benefits to David!” But the Holy Spirit convicted me that those words are about the Lord.

Lately, I’ve been overwhelmed. I’ve tried to “do it all,” at home (to be a domestic goddess + artistic queen, so to speak) in hopes of making David happy! Yet, unsurprisingly, the idea of trying to do more than I’m able to do made me feel daunted and resentful. Through the Word, The Spirit reminded me that it’s not I but God who fulfills His promises to David. 

What a surprising turn. Just when I thought I needed to keep “making David’s dreams come true” by shouldering more and more responsibilities, the Lord gave me this Word specifically about “David.” After honest conversations this week, David and I decided to shuffle some of the household responsibilities around so that I can have more time to be in the creative zone.

As you prepare to attend Mass this week (whether online or in person) perhaps you will hear the Word and assume you know what it means for you, like I did. I’ll invite you to join me in listening for the Spirit to surprise us! Lord, teach us in new ways. Come, Holy Spirit.

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Special thanks to VIP Patrons:

Kim Moline
Dick Safranski
Jordan Mendez
Julian Padilla
Jessica Cook
Kate Hicks
Sara Chacon
Kelly Wesaw
Deacon Tim & Lily Roberto
Carrie Brzezinski

To become an Amanda Vernon Patron and receive exclusive rewards, signup at amandavernon.com/patron.