In Dialogue With The WORD!

In the world today, characterized by rapid developments in science and technology, we encounter greater importance and urgency to emphasize truth over technology, and meaning over information. In this time of apparent crisis, what specifically should I do to fulfill the mission of proclaiming the Word? How can I overcome the many difficulties and obstacles in the work of integrating and imparting the Word in our fragmented post-modern age?

Our meditations aside from our community prayers in the seminary, our written reflections, the guest speakers’ talks, and the different areas of apostolate we have, oftentimes change our perception of our skills and responsibilities. Because of all these I came to understand how meaningful my life is, and even more importantly, how essential the Word of God is to the enrichment and creation of meaning in my life. As I go on, I continue to be in dialogue with the Word in my prayers.

To pray is to communicate with God. The medium of communication is the spoken word, and although I can convey my feelings, desires, and intents also by facial expression and gesture, it is only by words that I can give them clarity of meaning and of form. By the words I also declare and bind myself. Thus in my prayers, it matters what kind of words I use and how I use them. Right intent is in itself not enough. It is true that clumsy and awkward words that spring from a sincere heart are preferable to the most flowery ones, which are devoid of inner substance. I believe that God looks into the heart of those who find it difficult to express themselves clearly. It does not follow however, that it is unimportant what I say and how I say it. Generally speaking, right intent will produce the right words, conversely, faulty words, and more specifically babbling and sentimental ones reveal a state of mind, which is itself at fault. The words I speak will themselves affect my state of mind. Language penetrates down to the roots of my mental and emotional life. I think in it and feel it. And through it I learn the significance and use of all objects.

I do not pray merely to communicate my needs to God. God knows my heart better than I do. There are times when spontaneous formulation of my prayer is easy. When I feel God’s presence, or when I am in distress and put myself into God’ s merciful hand, the right words come of themselves. Sometimes, however, the heart is empty and the mind has little to say; in this state of poverty speech does not come easily. But I do not give up; I accept this insufficiency, for it has its own purpose and its own significance. I find words of great simplicity such as plain affirmations of faith, hope and acceptance. Such words are not less in value and they are the right ones for the occasion, precisely because they are not contrived or artificial. It may happen that a situation arises which helps me to appreciate fully the significance of the Word. Such situation can prove a constant source of spiritual comfort and inspiration.

My wish is for all of us to be always amazed in the Word of God, and in our own ability to understand what God wants to tell us.  And I encourage you to be in constant dialogue with the Word.