Society
Of The Divine Word

This sixth observance of the Sunday of the Word of God is celebrated under the theme: “I hope in your word,” inspired by Psalm 119, verse 74.

Therefore, I would like to focus on the theme of hope as a key to exploring the biblical texts in today’s liturgy of the Word. In this context, I will connect the message of these readings to the four characteristic dimensions of our Society that define our mission.

The First Reading: Nehemiah

The first reading comes from the Book of Nehemiah. Together with Ezra, these two books form one of the most important—yet often overlooked—sections of the Old Testament canon. These books reflect a time of profound disillusionment and despair. About a century earlier, a portion of the people of Judah had returned from Babylon, which had become, for many exiles, a place of stability and prosperity. Perhaps inspired by Isaiah’s grand visions, they returned with hopes of a renewed Jerusalem—a splendid mountain to which the nation would make their pilgrimage. But upon arrival and in the subsequent decades, they found only ruins, poverty, hostility, and disunity. These conditions only worsened over the next hundred years, culminating in a desperate situation of gradual collapse and a profound loss of hope.

In this situation, the priest Ezra arrived from Babylon, bringing with him the Book of the Law—the Torah, which had taken its final form during the exile. Today’s reading describes what could be considered the first recorded liturgy of the Word. Here, we see its essential elements: a people willing to listen, a reader to proclaim the Word, an explanation of the text, and a call to celebration and renewal.

This event marked the beginning of Second Temple Judaism, the religious tradition that Jesus followed, observed, and sought to reform. In this new reality, kings no longer held authority; instead, Scripture took center stage, becoming the unifying and guiding force for the nation. The Torah became the heart of Jewish life, even to the point where many would willingly become martyrs rather than violate its precepts.

For us, as members of the SVD family, this scripture focus reflects our mission expressed in our dimensions of the biblical apostolate and communication, which work together to understand and communicate the Word effectively so that it transforms those we minister to and, ultimately, the world. Just as Ezra’s proclamation of the Torah renewed a despairing community, we, too, must allow the Word of God to empower and guide us to bring transformation and hope to the communities we serve.

The Second Reading: 1 Corinthians

In the second reading, Paul writes to a deeply divided community in Corinth. As its founder, he faced the daunting task of keeping this fractured group united and faithful to the Gospel.

Paul uses the body metaphor to emphasize how diverse community members are brought together through one baptism and animated by the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He addresses societal divisions between Jews and Greeks, slaves and free persons—two of the fundamental divides of his time. Paul challenges these divisions, asserting that while differences exist, they must not lead to separation, as divisions give rise to injustice, ultimately destroying the community.

Injustice begins with division—when individuals or groups alienate and demonize others based on ethnicity, social status, gender, or worldview. Paul counters this tendency by declaring believers a new creation in Christ (cf. Gal 6:15). Thus, a united community becomes like Christ, a divine presence in the world.

While Paul does not explicitly mention the Word of God in this passage, his writings and mission are deeply rooted in the Incarnate Word—Jesus Christ. In this context, our Society’s focus on the dimension of justice and peace is a mission to unite people, heal divisions, and thus overcome the injustice born of self-centeredness and alienation. At its heart, this work is theological: we are building a new body—the Body of Christ in the world. We strive to incarnate Christ, the Word of God, through peace and justice work in today’s fractured reality.

The Gospel

In the Gospel reading, we see Jesus’ first public action. Unlike in the other synoptic Gospels, where Jesus begins his ministry with an exorcism, Luke presents his first act as a public declaration of purpose.

Speaking in his hometown synagogue, Jesus draws on the powerful vision of Isaiah, proclaiming the good news. But this good news is no abstract message; it is concrete and practical: bringing liberty to captives, sight to the blind, freedom to the oppressed, and proclaiming the year of Jubilee. These statements, deeply symbolic, point to a holistic restoration of the human community—socially, morally, intellectually, and spiritually, and this is the essence of the Jubilee.

Jesus’ declaration aligns with the missionary dimension of our Society. Our mission could be described as a work to bring about a great Jubilee—restoring sight to the blind through teaching and revelation, ending oppression through peace and justice, and creating a harmonious world. In this way, we make the Word of God visible and tangible in our world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we return to the theme of hope. In today’s readings, the Word of God manifests itself as a guiding force, a revelation, and a certainty that God’s vision for the world will ultimately triumph over darkness.

This certainty makes our hope steadfast and unshakable. Our fourfold mission, expressed through the Biblical Apostolate, Communication, Mission Animation, and Peace and Justice action, is deeply rooted in Scripture. Scripture sustains this hope and directs our efforts. As we celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God, let us cherish the treasure we have—the Scripture readily accessible on our shelves, desks, computers, and pews.

May we be reminded today that our hope is revealed and defined through the Word of the Lord—Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word, and the written word of revelation in Scripture. May this Word propel us forward, giving hope, energy, and joy to our lives and mission.

Wojciech Szypula, SVD
Generalate Biblical Apostolate Coordinator