Two-Edged Sword

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Two-Edged Sword

Powerful   Sharp

Believe   Trust   Hope

Living Word of God

Penetrate

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Hebrews 4:12

The Word of God is living and powerful.

 It is even sharper than a two-edged sword.

It penetrates between the soul and the spirit.

It penetrates between the joints and marrow.

It is able to comprehend reflections and thoughts of the heart.

Reflection

Have you ever had the experience of reading a passage from the Bible, and you are amazed at how it hits home?

The author of Hebrews compares the Word of God to a two-edged sword that penetrates deeply. It strikes a chord within us.

This can lead to some very powerful experiences for us. It can draw us closer to God and give us guidance to make the right decisions in our lives.

The passage that strikes us can be so sharp that it leads us to take another look at something that we had previously decided. All of a sudden that new insight opens our eyes to a different way of looking at that decision.

The classic example is Saint Francis. When he read the passage from Matthew 6:21 ("For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be."), he decided to dedicate his life completely to God. He looked at his life in a different way.

The Word of God can lead us to believe in a deeper way. All of a sudden as we are reflecting on a certain passage, our beliefs come alive, and we understand our faith in a new way.

I remember reading about the Transfiguration of Jesus and realizing the glory and the power of Jesus. I understood the connection between the teachings of Jesus and Moses and Elijah.

When the Word of God comes alive in that way, your trust in God grows. You see how consistent God has been in reaching out to us and in establishing the covenant with us. We can hope in the fulfillment of God's promises and begin to realize how deeply we are loved.

The Word of God is then living because it has become part of our life. It is not words in a book. It penetrates our heart, and we realize those words make sense and help us to reach out to others.

That two-edged sword can penetrate deeply and transform us with the power and consolation of God's Word.

 Allow it to touch you and enlighten you.

1. What do you experience when you read the Bible?

2. Has a Bible passage ever helped you make a decision?

3. Does the Bible give you a better understanding of your faith?

4. What do you see as you reflect on Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)