Fr. Timothy V. Vaverek: Word of God, Words of Men

By Fr. Timothy V. Vaverek,  The Catholic Thing, Nov. 12, 2023

Fr. Timothy V. Vaverek, STD has been a priest of the Diocese of Austin since 1985 and is currently pastor of Assumption parish in the city of West. His studies were in Dogmatics with a focus on Ecclesiology, Apostolic Ministry, Newman, and Ecumenism. His new book is As I Have Loved You: Rediscovering Our Salvation in Christ (Emmaus Road Publishing). Click here to watch Scott Hahn interview Fr. Vaverek about about the book.

St. Paul gave thanks for the Christians in Thessalonica, that “in receiving the word of God from hearing us, you received not a human word but, as it truly is, the word of God, which is now at work in you who believe.” (I Thesalonians 2:13) This concisely describes how we are united to God and become saints. To appreciate the depth of his insight, we must understand what he means by the “word of God.” That will in turn help us recognize and reject today’s false apostles who seek to change the Gospel.

Scripture calls Jesus the Son of God and the Word of God. The reason for these two titles is that the Second Person of the Trinity is the perfect image and expression of the Father. As the perfect image of the Father, he’s like a son. As the perfect expression of the Father, he’s like a word. Because Jesus is God the Son born of Mary, the Word made flesh, whoever encounters him encounters the Father. So, by being united to Christ we’re united to God. At heart, that’s the means and meaning of our salvation. …