Change direction

The Word of Life, taken from Scripture, is offered each month as a guide and inspiration for daily living.

“Repent, and believe in the Gospel” (Mk 1:15).

In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus begins his announcement to the world, his message of salvation, with these words: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel."

The coming of Jesus marks the beginning of a new era, the era of grace and salvation. His first words are an invitation to embrace this great novelty, this reality of the Kingdom of God that he brings within the reach of all people, close to every person.

And he immediately indicates the way: repent and believe in the Gospel, that is, radically change your life and accept the word that God, in and through Jesus, is addressing to humanity of all times.

Repentance and faith must go hand in hand: there cannot be one without the other; rather, both spring forth from contact with the living word, from the presence of Jesus who today, too, repeats to the crowds:

“Repent, and believe in the Gospel”

The word of God accepted and lived out brings about a complete change of mentality, that is, repentance. It instills in the hearts of all -- Europeans, Asians, Australians, Americans, Africans -- the sentiments of Christ in relation to circumstances, to individuals and to society.

But how can the Gospel work the miracle of a profound conversion, of a new and luminous faith? The secret lies in the mystery contained in the words of Jesus. They are not simply exhortations, suggestions, indications, directives, orders, or commands. Jesus himself is present in his words to us. His words are Jesus himself.

It is therefore possible to encounter Jesus in his word. And in welcoming the word into our hearts, as he wants it to be welcomed (that is, being ready to translate it into life) we are one with him and he is born and grows within us. This is why each one of us can and must welcome this pressing and demanding invitation of Jesus.

“Repent, and believe in the Gospel”

Some people might consider the words of the Gospel to be too high, too out of touch and difficult, too distant from the common way of living and thinking; they might feel tempted to close themselves off from these words, and to get discouraged. But this can only happen if they think that they must move this mountain of disbelief on their own. Instead, living just one word of the Gospel is enough to experience unexpected help, unique strength, a light for their path (cf. Ps. 119:105). Precisely because each word of the Gospel is a presence of God, communicating with it makes people free, it purifies, converts, brings comfort and joy, and gives wisdom.

“Repent, and believe in the Gospel”

How often these words can be light for us during our day! Every time we run up against our own weakness or that of others, every time following Jesus seems to be impossible or absurd, every time problems threaten to overcome us, these words can give us wings; they can be like a breath of fresh air, a stimulus to begin anew.

A small, quick change of course would be enough to come out from the confines of our ego and open ourselves to God and to the experience of another life, the true one.

Moreover, if we are able to share this experience with friends whose code of life is the Gospel, then we will see the Christian community budding forth or re-blossoming around us.

The word of God lived out and communicated works this miracle too: it gives rise to a visible community that becomes yeast and salt for society, witnessing to Christ in every corner of the globe.

Chiara Lubich

Each month a Scripture sentence is offered as a guide and inspiration for daily living. Since the Focolare beginnings, founder Chiara Lubich (1920-2008) wrote her commentaries. This one was originally published in February 1997.

Read more on this topic:

• Life experiences resulting from people’s efforts to put the monthly sentence into practice. Click here!
• 
  Chiara Lubich, “Thoughts: To be re-evangelized,” in
  
  Essential Writings
  (New City Press, 2006)
  
  p.127
  
  978-1-56548-259-3
  
  US$24.95
  
  This selection and arrangement of Chiara Lubich's spiritual writings opens up the heart and soul of one of the most significant religious figures of our times. In our own day, there may be nothing more important than giving witness to the hope and the possibility of unity between and among people of all faiths and of those with no faith at all. This is the legacy Chiara leaves to everyone concerned with the unity of all people.
  
  Michael Downey
  
  Editor, The New Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality
  Order now on
  www.newcitypress.com! For more information contact us on: orders@newcitypress.com
  
  
  
  
  
• Chiara Lubich, The Art of Loving.
  (New City Press, 2010)
  
  978-1-56548-335-4
  
  US$11.95
  
  In disarmingly simple down-to-earth language Chiara Lubich draws her readers into the very heart of evangelical love and gently challenges them to start living it. She never tired of repeating the ideas that shine through each of the texts collected in this volume. Even as she lay dying, she urged those around her to spread the gospel message of unity and peace to everyone.
  
  The few simple phrases that compose her Art of Loving, drawn from the gospels, disclose the secret of human fulfillment found in divine love: “Love everyone,” “Be the first to love,” “Love your neighbor as yourself,” “Love each other as I have loved you,” “Make yourself one.”
  
  Order now on www.newcitypress.com! For more information contact us on: orders@newcitypress.com
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  Madeline Pecora Nugent and Julian Stead, O.S.B.,
  Love-Ability:
  Becoming Lovable by Caring for Yourself and Others
  (New City Press, 2007)
  
  978-1-56548-268-5
  
  US$13.95
  

  This is a fine book. I learned much about something I thought I understood. It is very valuable for reflection and self-examination. Much to ponder and put into practice.
  
  Benedict J. Groeschel
  
  Order now on www.newcitypress.com! For more information contact us on: orders@newcitypress.com
  
  

  
  
  
  

Next month's Word of Life:

March 2012
“Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (Jn 6:68)

You may be interested in these links:

• Read experiences some of our readers shared in their efforts to live a previous month’s Word of Life. Click here!

• The Word of Life in other languages. Click here!

• The Word of Life in powerpoint presentation. Click here!