Last week I invited you all to reflect with me on a theme from the readings/responses for the weekend. I asked that you share your reflections, and what the Lord lays on your heart as you prayed with the readings for the weekend’s liturgy. I once again extend this invitation: Please send me a short email of your reflection, what you heard the Lord speaking to you through the readings.
The words of the refrain of the Responsorial Psalm for this weekend would be the focus of my reflection this week, “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” God still speaks to us daily. Those who are God’s friends recognize his voice and respond. But those who are too occupied with their own businesses miss the voice and lose out on the invitation. They not only neglect to respond, but also harden their hearts to God’s voice. Very often we fail to hear God’s voice because we are distracted by the cares and worries of this life – family, job, career, wealth, comfort, pleasure, popularity/fame, only to name a few.
Sometimes, we hear God’s voice but pretend not to, because we would not want to respond. We do not want to commit to what his word is saying or asking of us. Like Jonah, we would rather go somewhere else or do it our own way. We miss the urgency of God’s summons and procrastinate because we think we have plenty of time. Oh, I am still very young and need to explore the world, some say!
Although the Lord is patient, and waits, his patience would not be forever. There would come a time when it would be impossible to respond. My prayer for you and for myself is that we never wait until that time. So, while we still have time; while it is still day; let us make haste to hearken to the voice of the Lord and not harden our hearts.
May Jesus bless you, and may Our Lady protect you!