God says through the prophet Isaiah: "My word shall go forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will achieving the end for which I sent it." Jesus explains that further when he said: "Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day".

How often do we hear the word of God but not hear it? We hear the sounds but do not allow that word to fully enter into our hearts and become effective. Either that word of God will bear fruit leading into eternal life or it will judge us for not acting on it. 

Next time we are at Mass, attentively listen to God's Word, reflect on it and act on it. That word will be effective to the extent we do this. Or in the words of St. Paul: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly."