God’s Whisper

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/061518.cfm) reminds me that I should work on my relationship with God. 

Angry people, especially when fighting, usually shout. Their voices are very loud and words strong. They cannot hear each other and only hear themselves and what they are saying. This is in sharp contrast to lovers, who talk silently and whisper to each other. Some say this is because the words reflect the state of the hearts. Lovers have hearts who are close to each other, that why a whisper is enough, while angry people have hearts far away from each other thats why they have to shout. This is how God wants to be from our hearts. 

God wants us to be able to hear him when he whispers to us. 

In the first reading, we see again Elijah. God's word came upon him that he would meet God outside where he was staying. However, God was not in the mighty and loud things. Strong winds. Earthquake. Fire. God was not in those mighty, strong, loud and powerful things. Instead, he was in a tiny whispering sound. God does not shout at us. He wants us to be able to hear him in his small soft voice. 

The only way we can hear God is if we work on our relationship with him. 

Elijah was able to recognize God in a tiny whispering sound, despite the mighty and strong manifestations, because he was close to God. He had a very good personal relationship with Him. His heart was close to God. We should work on ours too. God gave us ways of building and deepening our relationship with him - prayer, the sacraments, service, the bible. There are a lot of ways we can get to know him more. We just need to want it. We just need to make the decision, because it is not always easy to do so. 

Do I hear God’s voice? In what way? Do I have a hard time hearing him amidst the busyness and loudness of the world? Or can I hear him easily? What does this tell me about my relationship with God? Do I obey him after hearing him? How can I improve my relationship with God today?

May we be inspired by Elijah's relationship with God, and work to have something similar with Him. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I take you for granted. Sorry for the times I work on other things except my relationship with you. Sorry for not giving you the importance you deserve. Help me have a relationship with you like Elijah. Help me do things that will build and deepen our relationship. I want to always hear and recognize you as you come to me in a tiny whispering sound. Help me make this happen. Make me more aware and more sensitive to you. And as I hear you, help me have the heart to follow and obey you. I love you lord. Amen. 

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

Daily Readings

June 15, 2018

Friday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 363

Reading 1 1 KGS 19:9A, 11-16

At the mountain of God, Horeb,
Elijah came to a cave, where he took shelter.
But the word of the LORD came to him,
"Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD;
the LORD will be passing by."
A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains
and crushing rocks before the LORD—
but the LORD was not in the wind.
After the wind there was an earthquake—
but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
After the earthquake there was fire—
but the LORD was not in the fire.
After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.
When he heard this,
Elijah hid his face in his cloak
and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.
A voice said to him, "Elijah, why are you here?"
He replied, "I have been most zealous for the LORD,
the God of hosts.
But the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant,
torn down your altars,
and put your prophets to the sword.
I alone am left, and they seek to take my life."
The LORD said to him,
"Go, take the road back to the desert near Damascus.
When you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king of Aram.
Then you shall anoint Jehu, son of Nimshi, as king of Israel,
and Elisha, son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah,
as prophet to succeed you."

Responsorial Psalm PS 27:7-8A, 8B-9ABC, 13-14

R. (8b) I long to see your face, O Lord.
Hear, O LORD, the sound of my call;
have pity on me, and answer me.
Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks.
R. I long to see your face, O Lord.
Your presence, O LORD, I seek.
Hide not your face from me;
do not in anger repel your servant.
You are my helper: cast me not off.
R. I long to see your face, O Lord.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
R. I long to see your face, O Lord.

Alleluia PHIL 2:15D, 16A

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Shine like lights in the world,
as you hold on to the word of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelMT 5:27-32

Jesus said to his disciples:
"You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery.
But I say to you,
everyone who looks at a woman with lust
has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
If your right eye causes you to sin,
tear it out and throw it away.
It is better for you to lose one of your members
than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna.
And if your right hand causes you to sin,
cut it off and throw it away.
It is better for you to lose one of your members
than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.

"It was also said,
Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce.
But I say to you,
whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful)
causes her to commit adultery,
and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.