The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.

This is beautiful poetry summarizing beautiful truth, but how worldly we are. We are worldly because we will not trust the law, decree, precepts, command, or ordinances of the Lord. We are tied to this world because we have forgotten fear of the Lord.

The Lord is perfect, trustworthy, right, clear, pure, and true. His Word is Jesus and Jesus is the truth. Yet, we analyze and engage in hermeneutics. Some buy into Dan Brown’s fantasies and hatred for Christianity, his hatred for the very Word of God. Some will take any path as long as it is the path or questioning. Many take the path that allows their answers to be self serving. —What, did that commandment apply to me?— —Since when!?!—

In this Church the Word of God is a sacrament.

In a few weeks I will be explaining this sacrament to my First Communion Catechism class. The children here can tell you that the Catechism is a study of religion using questions and answers. And in a few weeks they will learn that the sacrament of the Word is important to us because it:

• Brings us closer to God through Jesus Christ;
• Teaches us the Divine Will of God;
• Makes our faith stronger, and
• Tells us how we can enter the Kingdom of God

In other words everything we need to achieve the fullness of life and eternal joy is contained in the Word of God. The Word gives us sacramental grace which is sanctifying grace —“ the grace that changes us —“ makes us holy and pleasing to God.

But, you have to listen and believe! We must put the Word into action. The action that makes us constant converts to the way of Christ.

Paul tells us that, “Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified.”

Jesus Himself told us that no sign will be given:

The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.

Signs and wisdom will not be given. You have to look at what is right in front of you and recognize it. The words are simple, follow them.

In every Holy Mass you are forgiven your sins, you hear the Word of God and are taught, and you receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Three times you receive sacramental grace. Three times you are sanctified. Three times you are made holy and pleasing to God.

Yet doubt persists. Disbelief persists. Questioning persists.

Paul told us:

We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men. We are fools for Christ… [T]his very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.

Yes, we must be fools. We must be foolish enough to set aside our questioning disbelief. We must be foolish enough to accept the real truth —“ the truth of Jesus Christ crucified, Who died and Who rose again. Foolish enough to follow the Commandments in the way Jesus taught; in spirit and in truth.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom,
and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

During this third week of Lent contemplate Jesus’ actions in the temple. Contemplate, as His disciples did, the words of Scripture fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ

His disciples recalled the words of Scripture,
Zeal for your house will consume me.

Let zeal for God’s house consume you, break you down, make you foolish and hungry.

Let us be foolish, not worldly, so that God’s Word will refresh the soul, give us wisdom, allow our hearts to rejoice, enlighten our eyes. Let us be foolish so that the fear of the Lord will endure in us forever, so that we may know justice. The Word of the Lord is more precious than gold, than a heap of purest gold; sweeter also than syrup or honey from the comb.

Amen.