Daily Catholic Lectio. Tue, 24 February ‘26. The Word of God

Daily Catholic Lectio

Tue, 24 February ‘26

First Week of Lent, Tuesday

Isaiah 55:10–11; Matthew 6:7–15

The Word of God

In Hebrew, the word used for “word” is davar. Remarkably, davar also means “action” or “event.” In biblical thought, word and action are not separate realities. When God speaks, something happens. His word is not a sound that fades into silence; it is a force that creates, transforms, and accomplishes.

From the first page of Scripture, we see this truth. God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. The word spoken by God is immediately rendered into action. It carries within itself the power to fulfil what it declares.

The prophet Isaiah beautifully expresses this in today’s first reading. He compares the word of God to the rain and snow that come down from heaven. They do not return without watering the earth, without making it fertile and fruitful. They cause the seed to sprout and provide bread to the eater. In the same way, God says, “So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose.”

The metaphor is powerful. Rain is gentle, silent, almost unnoticed. Yet it penetrates the soil and transforms the land. The word of God works in the same way. It enters quietly, but it changes hearts, communities, and history. It never remains sterile.

This challenges us deeply. Our words often remain mere sounds. If I say, “I will come at eight,” and I arrive at eight, my word becomes action. If I fail to come, my word becomes empty. Much of human communication today risks becoming empty. We move from long letters to brief messages, from messages to abbreviations, from words even to emojis. The speed increases; the depth sometimes decreases. Words are used quickly, but not always responsibly.

In the Gospel, Jesus teaches His disciples about prayer. He warns them not to heap up empty phrases like the pagans who think they will be heard because of their many words. God is not impressed by quantity. He knows what we need even before we ask.

Then Jesus gives them the Lord’s Prayer — few words, but immense depth. Every petition is simple, clear, and concrete: “Give us this day our daily bread.” “Forgive us our trespasses.” “Deliver us from evil.” There is no verbosity. There is clarity, trust, and surrender.

Seen in the light of Isaiah’s message, the Gospel teaches us something further: the words we pray must become action. If I say, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us,” but I refuse to forgive my brother or sister, my prayer becomes an empty phrase. If I say, “Your will be done,” yet insist stubbornly on my own will, my words contradict my life. Prayer is not magic speech; it is a commitment.

From today’s readings, we can draw three lessons.

First, our words must be like God’s word — manifested in action. We are created in His image. When we speak promises, they must be fulfilled. When we express love, it must be shown. When we speak truth, it must be lived. A Christian’s credibility lies not in eloquence but in integrity. Let our “yes” mean yes.

Second, we are invited to minimalism in speech. The wisdom tradition of the Bible repeatedly reminds us that too many words can diminish their value. Silence has its own dignity. Speech should be measured, thoughtful, and necessary. In prayer and in daily conversation, fewer words spoken with sincerity are better than many spoken without depth.

Third, we must put the Word of God into practice. Lent is not only a season to listen to Scripture, but to embody it. When the Word we read becomes the way we act — when mercy becomes forgiveness, when justice becomes sharing, when trust becomes obedience — then we ourselves become living words of God. We become, in a small but real way, davar: word and action united.

If God’s word does not return empty, may our lives not be empty echoes. May the Word that descends like rain upon our hearts bear fruit — fruit of reconciliation, simplicity, and faithful action.

Then our prayer will not be noise. It will be life. And through us, God’s Word will continue to act in the world.

Fr Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy