There are animals like cows and camels that have multiple stomachs to chew and digest food perfectly.
Similarly, we can meditate on the Bible through several filters to bring forth the New Alliance.
1st Stomach for Chewing: Reading and Listening to the Word – Revelation 1:3
The Word is read and heard: Upon returning from exile, the people gather at the Water Gate, and the priest Ezra reads the Word from dawn until noon.
The Word is heard (especially in Liturgy).
Reading: Nehemiah 8:1-3, 9-12
2nd Stomach for Chewing: Believing in the Word – Acts 15:7
We believe in the Gospel. The Word is the power of God for those who believe (cf. Mark 1:15).
Mary believes in the Words spoken to her and is blessed for her belief (cf. Luke 1:45).
Reading: John 20:30-31
3rd Stomach for Chewing: Studying the Word – 2 Timothy 3:15
The Berean brothers accepted the Word wholeheartedly.
They examined the Scriptures daily to see if things were this way (Acts 17:11).
Jesus invites the Jews to search the Scriptures that testify about Him (cf. John 5:39).
Mary was the first disciple of the Word of Jesus.
Reading: Luke 1:1-4
4th Stomach for Chewing: Praying with the Word – Colossians 3:16
There is no better prayer book than the Bible, especially the Psalms. The fullness: the Eucharist.
Paul and Silas, while praying with the Word, were released from the Philippian jail (cf. Acts 16:25-26).
Mary prays with the Word in the Magnificat (cf. Luke 1:46-55).
Reading: Psalm 103
5th Stomach for Chewing: Memorizing the Word – Proverbs 2:1-5
The Jews constantly repeated the Word of God to memorize it.
They bound it on their hands and wrote it on the doorposts of their houses to memorize it.
Mary kept the Words of Jesus in her heart (cf. Luke 2:51).
Reading: Deuteronomy 6:4-9
6th Stomach for Chewing: Living the Word – James 1:22-24
The Word is meant to be lived and practiced (cf. Deuteronomy 30:14).
It’s not enough to say “Lord, Lord”; otherwise, it would be like building a house on sand (cf. Matthew 7:24-27).
Mary proclaims, “Let it be done to me according to your Word” (cf. Luke 1:38). She lives the Word, which is why she has the authority to command, “Do whatever he tells you” (cf. John 2:4-5).
Reading: 2 Timothy 1:6-11
7th Stomach for Chewing: Proclaiming the Word – Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:18-19
What is heard, read, studied, prayed, and lived must be proclaimed on the rooftops (cf. Matthew 10:27).
Paul: “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16b).
When the magi arrive in Bethlehem, they find Jesus in Mary’s arms.
Jesus, the Word, is in Mary’s hands (cf. Matthew 2:11).
Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:17-25
Conclusion
By meditating on the Word, we celebrate the New Alliance.
