Even the most committed Christian is not listening to the Lord much of the time. Those we call "holy" may be merely less disobedient than others. We are so compromised with our secular, pleasure-seeking lifestyle that we filter out much of what God is saying. We listen to God just enough to give ourselves the false impression that we usually listen to God. We need to be shaken up and break out of this rut of disobedience. We need to experience Jesus in a completely new way so we will listen to Him in a completely new way. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Ps 111:10).
I remember not listening seriously to my father, but then I saw him at his place of employment. I had never seen him in these circumstances. He was clearly a man of God, of faith, and of courage. He was transfigured in my eyes. I had never seen my dad in that way. From that point on, I listened to him as I had never done before.
We're not taking Jesus seriously. We seem unaware of His divinity. We don't listen to Him, His Word, and His Church. To listen to Him, we must see Jesus new and transfigured to break out of the rut of disobedience. "Listen to Him" (Mk 9:7).
| PRAYER: | "Is it possible that He Who did not spare His own Son but handed Him over for the sake of us all will not grant us all things besides?" (Rm 8:32) In this Lent, Father, move in my life in new and mighty ways. |
| PROMISE: | "Your descendants shall take possession of the gates of their enemies, and in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing – all this because you obeyed My command." –Gn 22:18 |
| PRAISE: | Praise and glory to You, Lord Jesus, for opening the eyes of our hearts! |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College