Not Only Hearers But Doers

Bishop Connolly High School Coat of Arms

“Not only hearers but doers of the word.”

This simple line from today’s first reading was the motto for my High School. The Letter of James, from which it comes, was addressed to the Jewish community separated by the diaspora, and is a beautiful exhortation about how to live the life of virtue. The early Jewish Christian Community was separated geographically, but in living the common life despite the miles between them, they more effectively lived the communion they sill shared.

James’ words apply to us today as well. The Church spread throughout the entire world is united in word and sacrament, but also theoretically in our common life: one that strives always for virtue, and is nourished in the Eucharist we share.

No matter where we live in the world, a word that we hold in common is “amen”, spoken when the minister presents us with the Eucharist at Holy Communion. When we speak that word we are attesting to our belief in the true presence of Christ: body and blood, soul and divinity. However, we are also attesting to the deposit of faith, and to our willingness to hand our will and our lives over to the Lord of life.

When the Blessed Mother said yes to the Archangel Gabriel, she says “yes” to more than simply getting pregnant. She accepts God’s entire unseen plan for her: all the pain and suffering, all the joys and consolations, and all the mystery. Every time we say “amen” at communion, we repeat that yes. The question is, how do we live it?

How are we not only hearers but doers of the word? James goes on to say that if we are hearers of the word only, we are “deluding” ourselves (JAS 1:22). He goes on to say: “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror. He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like (JAS 1:23-24).”

How true that is.

If we are in fact only hearers and not doers of the word, then on Sunday mornings we are connected and firm in our faith, but when we leave the parking lot it becomes a different story. We forget who we are, that we are Christians, who are called and expected to live the life we profess with that simple word: amen. We are all guilty of it, that’s why the Church has given us the Sacrament of Reconciliation! In confession we come back to that mirror and say, “that’s right – that’s who I am.” We reclaim our identity as sons and daughters and express our intent to start over, to live that “amen” more effectively. To not only be hearers, but doers of the word.

Are we doers of the word at our dining room tables?

Are we doers of the word behind the wheel (that’s a tough one, I’ll be the first to admit it!)

Are we doers of the word when we post on Social Media?

Are we doers of the word in the voting booth?

It’s not always easy, and will sometimes result in conflict or loss, but at the end of the day don’t we want to be our true selves and not “deluded”? Don’t we want to be that person we see in the mirror on Sunday mornings? What more perfect time to consider these notions then now? The Church is preparing for the Holy Season of Lent, a time of change and deeper conversion to the heart of Jesus. What are some ways that you can be a more effective doer of the word? We all have at least a few! Let’s all pray that Lent 2020 can be a time to return to the mirror, embrace our true call, and step deeper into the heart of Jesus in the Eucharist!