Devour My Word

by Mary Ann Halloran

I recently reflected on Ezekiel 2:8–9 and 3:1–4, where the Lord says, “ ‘As for you, son of man, obey me when I speak to you: be not rebellious like this house of rebellion, but open your mouth and eat what I shall give you.’ It was then that I saw a hand stretched out to me, in which was a written scroll, which he unrolled before me. It was covered with writing front and back, and written on it was: ‘Lamentation and wailing and woe!’

“He said to me, ‘Son of man, eat what is before you; eat this scroll, then go, speak to the house of Israel.’ So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to feed your belly and fill your stomach with this scroll I am giving you. I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.”

Reading this, I realized that the scrolls God commanded Ezekiel to eat represent His Word. The message I received was clear: “Devour my Word.” I am called to read it often, to make it part of myself, and to feed myself spiritually from it daily.

I admit I had grown lax, relying primarily on the daily Mass readings. However, I felt Jesus reminding me that the Bible is not just any book; it is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword. God wants to speak to me personally through these pages, yet I had become tepid in reading it in my daily prayer time and listening to what Jesus wanted to say to me. I have many translations of the Bible in my home; I have no excuse.

The Bible is meant to be read often. Listen to what it says in Matthew 24:35:

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

And in Matthew 22:29:

Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the scriptures or the power of God.”

So I have been recommitting myself to devouring his Word, and it is bearing fruit. Thank you, Jesus, for that kick in the pants that I needed.

God bless you,

Mary Ann / Mother Hen