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The liturgy of the Word of Easter V, just like every week, is very rich and you can base long reflections and comments on the basis of individual sentences. For example, in the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles: “It is not right that we should neglect the word of God and serve tables.”
Let us dwell on the first part of it. This is the reflection of the apostles: “It is not right that we should neglect the Word of God.” It is born at a time when more and more responsibilities related to responsibility for a dynamically developing community fall on the group of students. Mutual grievances and maybe even conflicts begin to emerge among Christ’s followers. The first disciples were chosen by Jesus from the Jewish people, and – perhaps not fully understanding their Master’s message yet – they care only for their own, except for Gentile Christians. What is the advice of the Twelve on conflict in the community of believers? Back to the Word of God!
This reflection obviously concerns hierarchy, but the laity cannot be exempt from reading it through the prism of their own lives. Is it bad advice for anyone not to neglect God’s Word?
Let us now focus on the second part of this sentence from the Acts of the Apostles, without ignoring its context. The apostles are not saying that they have to deal only with the Word of God, and not “serving the tables” any more. Well, it seems that reading the Word of God brings reflection in order to live It, that is to put it into practice. After all, Jesus says: “I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me; I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to me; … Whatever you did for one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did for me “(cf. Mt 25: 35-36, 40). Hearing God’s Word fruitfully, or “not neglecting” it, leads to its fulfillment.
Caring for a relationship with the Word, which is after all a Person (cf. Jn 1: 1), evokes a sense of responsibility for the community – in the case of the Twelve it was about the entire Church, in the case of a local bishop it would be the diocese, and in the case of each of them us – our family, relatives, local environment. It is also the responsibility for the mission of proclaiming the Good News entrusted by Christ. The effect of the described activities of the apostles is the spread of the Gospel and the development of the Church.
This one sentence from the Acts of the Apostles also shows that the Church as a whole is beautiful – everyone has their place and task in Him, everyone is irreplaceable. Like the members of one body, they form a whole, each responsible for different functions (cf. Rom 12: 4-5).
In the second reading of this Sunday, St. Peter also draws attention to the negative aspect of “neglecting” the Word of God. “Disobedient to the Word fall.” This shows that when a person stops feeding on God’s Word, it will never be left without consequences. Neglecting the Word, disobeying Him are not neutral. Unfortunately, they bring downfall.
God’s Word is true and effective. Only the road with him gives life. Jesus is the Word of God – He is the way, the truth and the life.
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