Daily prayer
to St. Jude

O kindSaint-Jude, our faithful intercessor to Jesus, receive the following special intentions : to present them to the Almighty Lord, Root of all good. Above all, grant us an increase of our faith in His love. May each day find us closer in our relationship with our Heavenly Father. KindSaint-Jude, you who has revived hope in our hearts, you whose model merits and life bring us the divine blessings and graces, be our advocate, and lead us to Jesus and Mary. With you, blessed apostle, we give thanks and praise God with all our heart for His innumerable kindnesses. Amen.

The Monthly Note

August 2006

Consuming the Word of God

by Fr. Émery Désilets, OP

The tales of the prophets’ vocations usually happen in a symbolic action in relation to the Word of God. We know that and angel purified Isaiah’s lips with fire ( Isaiah 1, 1 and ss.), that God himself put His words in Jeremiah’s mouth and heart (Jeremiah 1, 4 and ss.). As for the prophet Ezekiel, he was invited to consume the Book of the Word of God. (Ezekiel 2).

Consuming the Word of God means to take it in, to assimilate it, until it penetrates us; that we become one. It is a powerful image. For us, it means:

• To welcome it deep in our heart, in the biblical sense of the word, in order that it may take root in us.

• To welcome in its integrity, without downplaying its cutting edge. The Word of God probes our inner being.

• To welcome it in all its dimensions. The Word of God has 3 dimensions. It comes to us through the testimonies in the Scriptures (Old and New Testaments), but it needs to be updated. It also comes to us through the inner voice of our conscience, and finally through the current events. We must never cease to question events in order to discover a certain Word of God.

• To welcome it, not as word of man but as Word of God working within us, believers. Therefore, a Word blessed with an incredible power, capable of transforming our hearts in depth. Thinks of Saint Augustine’s and Saint Francis’ experiences.

• To live it in payer, in meditation and in reverie. Mary and Joseph will always remain for us, models. Like them, we must give ourselves some room for a time to listen, of silence, of prayer, of reflection, of meditation, of absorbing the mystery.

• To live it in truth and in transparency, in a true brotherhood originating from the Grace of God.

May our welcoming and listening of the Word of God be always more genuine and deeper.

Émery Désilets, o.p., Director

« I ate it ( the book of the Word of God), and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth ». (Ez 3, 3)