The Word that brings Light

I still remember what our Catechist told us during our class when we were kids: "God's Word a day keeps the devil away." This is the line that comes to my mind as I reflect upon the theme of the National Bible Sunday: "God's Word: Power for National Renewal." I believe that it is only when we seriously pray over Sacred Scriptures can we effect change and renewal in our nation and in our lives.

But what does "praying the scriptures" really mean? For me, it only means one thing: To contemplate the Person of Christ. The Christ who is the fulfillment of the Old Testament; the Christ who is the New Covenant. And once we contemplate on his person, we are transformed and transfigured to his very person, that we become like him! His ways of thinking will become our very own. Our ways of doing will be configured to His as well. And in the final analysis, His way of loving will become our way of loving. And when we truly become "Other Christs" in the world, renewal and transformation will be just around the corner. When we become like Christ, we shun before us all ways of evil and sin.

So, let us pray that God's Word, made incarnate in Christ Jesus, may affect and permeate every aspect of our lives -- personal, familial, social, and spiritual -- so that God's Kingdom may truly be established in our midst through holy and blameless lives.