Two books of the Bible begin with this statement – Genesis 1:1 and the Gospel of John 1:1.

Genesis begins stating that God created the heavens and the earth, and the development of the same keeps happening whenever God says, “Let there be.”

St. John begins by stating that the Word was with God and was God from the beginning and that all creation took place through Him. When John in his prologue goes on to say that “the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14), he identifies the Word with Jesus Himself.

This equation of Jesus with God’s speaking creation into existence, and Jesus’ being one with the Father, helps us appreciate the power placed in our hands when we encounter God’s word in scripture.

Not to misuse the scripture by presuming that having Bible in hand bestows automatic authority upon us, we turn to the parable of Jesus himself, about the sower and the seed.

(Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8) As Jesus explains, the seed that is sown is the word of God.

It has the power to accomplish God’s will as described in creation. How much that yields, depends upon God who speaks it, and upon soil (that is the person who receives it).

In the Old Testament, Isaiah gives us an indication that the completion of God’s will and purpose is in the Word itself.

Jesus’ teaching in the parable explains that we ourselves have a part to play in how fruitful the seed (or water) of His word will be.

Yet, just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down And do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, Giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me empty, but shall do what pleases me, achieving the end for which I sent it (Isaiah 55:10-11).

A centurion who approached Jesus understood the power of God’s word and of who was speaking what as Jesus spoke, he manifested that God’s word accomplishes this power when God speaks it, and to the extent we are prepared for it to have its effect in us.

The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed” (Matthew 8:8).

Let us avail ourselves often of God’s word and prepare the “soil” that will receive it.

Pastor Fr. William Hodgson is the priest at St. Edward Catholic Church in Cassville. He may be reached at 417-847-4948 or stedwardcassville@ gmail.com.