We come to the end of this first week in “Ordinary Time.” The Christmas decorations are put away; schools are back in session; for many of us, the mid-January cold and snow are a daily reality. Today’s reading from Hebrews offers a framework for reflection: “God’s word is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword.”
These early January days, just how have I noticed that my heart comes alive as I ponder the realities of God’s “word” in my daily living? These first two weeks of 2017, how have I welcomed this “Word of God”? How have I let it penetrate my soul and spirit? And how have I noticed my relationships and my daily routine come alive in fresh ways because of this “Word of God” — now come anew to my heart and home.
—The Jesuit prayer team