Homily: August 13, 2024, Tuesday of the nineteenth week in Ordinary time (Eat the word of God)

 “Be not rebellious like this house of rebellion, but open your mouth and eat what I shall give you.”

God’s instructions in this first reading sounds similar to what Asian mothers would tell their children at mealtimes, “Open your mouth and eat whatever is being served. No fuss, no complaints. Eat and be thankful.”

To these mothers, they believe that food is important for children’s growth, to eat well, for energy and good health, so that they can grow strong and be productive in life.

Here, God is telling prophet Ezekiel to eat the scroll, which contains the word of God. Why?

He continues and says, “eat this scroll, then go, speak to the house of Israel.”

Last week, during my vacation with my sister and family, my sister was cooking all our favorite Indian food, thus she was always busy in the kitchen whenever we were back at the lodging. At one point, I went to check on her.

I found her listening attentively to an online retreat and jotting down what she heard in a notebook. Her notebook was full of Bible verses which she picked up from various spiritual talks she has attended over time. It was so well organized according to different topics.

She has Bible passages for praising God, for times of sadness, when feeling lonely, for condolences, and so on. She would memorize these verses to use appropriately in various situations and she would pray using these verses. She also has passages appropriate for praying for priests. And she taught her children a prayer for priests which they recite together daily. I am so blessed.

This was also how my parents prayed when they were alive. I am rediscovering something beautiful which I have forgotten.

Praying with Bible verses is powerful.

My sister is a simple woman, but she has deep faith. She is "eating" the word of God every day, like Ezekiel eating the scroll. She is consuming the word of God into her heart, mind and soul, so that in times of need, she can recall God’s word to guide her.

Ezekiel ate the word of God and proclaimed it to the people of Israel.

We become what we eat. And our character, our outlook, our values are shaped and influenced by what our mind takes in.

The world, through social media, is feeding us a lot of unhealthy stuff, some fake, some twisted and some are even deadly for our soul. It will lead us astray, confuse us and ultimately lead us away from God, towards eternal condemnation.

Be careful what we consume, physically, mentally and spiritually.

Eat and pray the word of God daily, it is truly a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.

Amen.