By John Emmet Clarke, The Catholic Thing - “The Word of the Lord” is a phrase regularly and reliably heard throughout the Church Year. When we hear it and reflexively reply: “Thanks be to God.” And this is only right and just, since no response other than heartfelt gratitude is fitting in the face of so great a mystery as the utterances of the one true God... As it was to the prophets of old, the Word of the Lord comes to us, condescending to our lowliness, casting light into our darkness, and cultivating the shallow, rocky, and sunburnt soil of our minds, hearts, and spirits. That’s what we’re about to celebrate next week.