DAILY MEDITATION: EZEKIEL 2:8–3:4

I ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. (Ezekiel 3:3)

We’ve always told our children to swallow their medicine, no matter how bad it tastes, because we know it’s good for them. But even so, how can we explain Ezekiel’s vision?

The Lord gives him a scroll with nothing but “lamentation and wailing and woe” written all over it and tells him to eat it (Ezekiel 2:10; 3:1). When he does, it becomes “sweet as honey” in his mouth (3:3). Knowing that Ezekiel is told to prophesy judgment on Israel, we might wonder what God is up to here!

The Lord certainly didn’t want Ezekiel to gloat about delivering a harsh message, and neither did God take any pleasure in it. He never rejoices in our sins or the consequences they bring about. No, whenever he warns, rebukes, or chastises us, it is always because he wants to heal us and restore us. His one central goal is to bring us back to himself—and he often uses his word to do it.

We have all felt the bitter effects of sin in our lives. However, we can counteract those effects by letting God’s word transform us. Sometimes that word is like an antiseptic that stings. “Sharper than any two-edged sword,” it can penetrate our defenses and reveal issues we might not want to face (Hebrews 4:12). But when we accept God’s word and apply it to our situation, it brings us only goodness. The writer of Proverbs tells us that the Scriptures are “life to those who find them, bringing health to one’s whole being” (Proverbs 4:22).

There is nothing better for us than the medicine of God’s word—and it’s absolutely free! But for it to take effect in our lives, we need to make it our own by digesting it every day. That means not only reading it but letting it soak into us. His word will give us the joy, strength, and peace we need to live in him. Then we can become his word of gentleness and mercy, blessing others through what we say and do.

“Father, thank you for sending me your word. Help me to read it every day so that it sinks deep into my heart.”

Psalm 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131
Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14

Statement of Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger 

On the Death of George Floyd and Subsequent Turmoil

“As followers of Jesus Christ and as Catholics, we have the responsibility and mandate to eliminate the tragedy and scourge of racism. Our hearts ache for the family of George Floyd who suffered and died senselessly at the hands of those sworn to serve and protect. We mourn with people of conscience everywhere who have been motivated to speak out against abuse of power and to give voice to all who suffer the persistent injustices of racist attitudes and practices.  It is not enough just to decry injustice, or even to pray and sympathize with those who suffer from an everyday experience of being treated as inferior or unworthy because of their racial or ethnic identities. This must be our constant work.

“We have no more urgent task than to join with those of all faiths in promoting the God-given dignity of each and every person, and to come together in these troubling days of our national life to bring about understanding, acceptance and healing among people of all races and backgrounds.”

DIOCESE OF BUFFALO CORONAVIRUS UPDATE - June 6, 2020

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