The Word and Recovery

 

Dear Friends, 

Today I take up the concept of "The Word." I have for years used the phrase, "In the beginning was the Word" (John 1:1), and—thinking myself intelligent—I believed I fully understood its meaning. 

 

I always assumed it referred simply to the Word of God. But today I sense my former certainty was far too small. The symbol we call “Word” carries a deeper and far greater eternal meaning. Yes, even more than just saying “Christ”—though it includes Him in fullness. 

 

The Word is not just speech, nor even solely divine declaration. It is action, being, presence, and purpose. It is sound shaped into reality, spirit shaped into flesh, truth shaped into love. 

As I sat with this phrase anew, I looked at how different ancient traditions have understood and expressed The Word. The table below is the result of that reflection: 

 

Language and Cultural Meanings of “The Word” 

Language / Culture	Word / Term	Core Meaning(s)	Spiritual / Theological Depth
Hebrew	דָּבָר (davar)	Word, thing, matter, command	Word as act, event, or divine revelation
Greek	λόγος (logos)	Word, reason, logic, meaning	Word as eternal reason, divine mind, Christ
Latin	verbum	Word, expression, saying	Word as spoken divine truth, basis for incarnation
Sumerian	𒅗 (KA)	Mouth, speech	Decrees reality; god’s word is creation/law
Hindu (Sanskrit)	Vāk / Shabda	Divine speech / sacred sound	Speech as divine power; mantra shapes destiny
Chinese	言 (yán) / 道 (dào)	Speech / Way (truth, path)	Ethical responsibility; transcendent mystery

 

So how does this relate to recovery, spirituality, and human charity? 

In recovery, we begin with truth-telling. We speak. We admit. We confess. We share. Step One is not abstract—it is a word spoken in truth, an act of self-revelation: “I am powerless.” That word—spoken honestly—becomes the beginning of a new creation. 

The Word, in this light, is not just something heard—it is something lived. The Hebrew davar reminds us that a word is an event—when we speak the truth in our step work or in sharing with a sponsor, something real happens. A chain breaks. A new day begins. 

The Greek logos points us to order, meaning, and relationship. In recovery, we come to believe that a Higher Power is not chaos but coherence. Our lives are no longer defined by noise and confusion but are restructured around something real, rational, and loving. 

From the Hindu Shabda and Vāk, we remember that the spoken truth has power. That our prayers, meditations, and even sacred mantras help shape our inner landscape. The sound of truth, spoken with intention, transforms our consciousness. 

The Sumerian KA reminds us that even ancient civilizations understood the power of decree. Our words, once released, carry weight—they can bless or break, harm or heal. 

And from Chinese Dao, we are reminded that the true Word cannot always be spoken. Silence, presence, and action also communicate. Charity, for instance, may be quiet but is no less powerful. 

In recovery, our spirituality becomes real when our words are matched by our walk. We carry the message—not just in what we say—but in how we show up, how we listen, and how we serve. That’s charity—not mere giving, but giving with presence, incarnating love. 

 

So today, I no longer claim to understand the fullness of the Word. But I do see that when I live truthfully, when I serve honestly, when I pray humbly, and when I speak with love—then I am participating in something far older and deeper than myself. 

In the beginning was the Word… and perhaps in our new beginning, it still is. 

With hope and gratitude,