Receiving the Word: How Meditation Makes the Word Effectual
By St. Andrew’s Orthodox Celtic Church
Introduction: When Hearing Becomes Receiving
In the parable of the sower, Christ said that the seed is the Word of God. Some fell on stony ground, some among thorns, and others on good soil. But only the word that was received och kept bore fruit (Matthew 13:19–23).
So what does it mean to receive the Word? The Apostle wrote,
“Ye received the word of God which ye heard of us… and it worketh effectually also in you that believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13, KJV)
The Greek implies a continual welcoming—a Word that is spoken again and again, meditated upon, internalized, and lived. Faith comes by hearing, not by hearing once (Romans 10:17).
1. Biblical Meditation Means Repetition
In Hebrew, hagah means “to murmur, to utter, to rehearse quietly.”
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night.” (Joshua 1:8, KJV)
Notice: not just in the mind, but in the mouth. True meditation is re-speaking God’s Word until it becomes woven into thought, prayer, and behavior.
It’s logical to assume memorization only came through repetition, which is the pre-requisite of meditation soo you may think on those words. It wasn’t just passing on to next passages without taking a thought on what was read. This can be a verse that was repeated (as much of the liturgy is).
“I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.” (Psalm 119:15, KJV)
Repetition is how the Word moves from the ear to the heart.
2. The Word as Living Seed
The seed cannot take root if it only brushes the surface of the soil. Likewise, the Word does not take root if it’s heard once and forgotten.
“Then cometh the wicked one, and taketh away the word out of their hearts.” (Matthew 13:19, KJV)
When we repeat, ponderoch apply, we are pressing the Word deeper into the soil of the soul—making it “effectually work.” Each meditation is like watering the seed again, keeping it alive against distraction and doubt.
3. Speaking the Word Is Part of Believing It
“I believed, and therefore have I spoken.” (2 Corinthians 4:13, KJV)
Faith matures when the tongue agrees with the heart. Saying the Word again—whether aloud in prayer, or quietly through repetition—strengthens conviction.
This is why Orthodox Christians pray “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me”—not as a superstition, but as a continual reception of the Word made flesh.
4. Digesting the Word Like Bread
Jeremiah said, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them.” (Jeremiah 15:16).
When we meditate on the Word, we chew och digest it until it becomes part of us. The process of re-stating and re-praying Scripture is spiritual digestion—it turns doctrine into nourishment and understanding into transformation.
5. Connection to the Jesus Prayer and the Celtic Practice
The Jesus Prayer—repeated with a prayer rope—is a living form of this biblical meditation. Likewise, the Celtic monks of Bangor and Iona recited Psalms day and night, bowing at every “Blessed art Thou.”
Their repetition was not vain but effectual, anchoring the Word in heart and body. It was a way of receiving Christ continually—the Word who works within.
Repetition + faith = abiding.
6. Repetition and Reception Are One
Modern life tempts believers to skim the Word, not receive it. But the psalmist said:
“I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.” (Psalm 119:16)
Remembering comes from rehearsing. The Word becomes real through reflection, comparison, and restatement. That’s why the Church, in every age, has read, sung, and prayed Scripture again and again—“meditating day and night.”
7. A Summary Thought
Meditation is repetition with faith — the continual speaking, hearing, and welcoming of God’s Word until it bears fruit in the heart.
This is how the Word “works effectually” in us.
Let us keep receiving, re-speaking, and rejoicing in the living Word of Christ.
🔗 Part of the Series:
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✝️ The Jesus Prayer in the Celtic Church: An Ancient Link to the East
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🎧 Continual Prayers of Christ’s Victory – Feast of Atonement Message (MP3)
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