Today's gospel ends with the words
blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.
I suspect for most of us our minds jump to the commands, and and we think in particular of the thinks we are not suppose to do, the sins. We think of observing the word of god as keeping the commandments.
But let's not forget that there is much more in the word of God, and in particular the gospel. To hear the word of God and observe it also means believing in the promises.
Mt.-the promise to be with us always until the end of the world
Rm- all things work together for good for those who love God and have been called according to his purpose.
Jn- the light shines in the darkness,and the darkness has not overcome it.
1Cor-he has made us temples of the Holy Spirit
How many times have we all heard these words and yet do we believe them in the very depths of our being. One can memorize the entire Bible but if you do not trust it, you have only heard the word.
Are there times when it is hard to believe? Yes.
Are there times when it looks like the darkness is winning? Yes
But that is a lie. In Jesus we have eternal life, a share in the very divinity of God. Nothing can overcome that.
