Reflection:
Oh, that today you would hear his voice
“Harden not your hearts as at the rebellion..”
The first reading encourages us that it’s never too late to hear, listen, and act on God’s call. When we turn away from God and don’t listen to Him, we see suffering like what is described in the first reading. On the contrary, the leper in the Gospel shows us that if we seek Him and submit to Him, we see great healing and joy. What God has willed and has planned for us will happen if we are open to following his call.
Oh, that today you would hear his voice
“Harden not your hearts as at the rebellion..”
The first reading encourages us that it’s never too late to hear, listen, and act on God’s call. When we turn away from God and don’t listen to Him, we see suffering like what is described in the first reading. On the contrary, the leper in the Gospel shows us that if we seek Him and submit to Him, we see great healing and joy. What God has willed and has planned for us will happen if we are open to following his call.
Big
Picture: Prayer is a
two way street – listen to God’s call
Discussion
Starters:
Younger saints: Who is the Holy Spirit? (The Holy Spirit is one of the three parts of the one God. The Holy Spirit is the love between the Father and the Son. (The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism, No. 1, pg 50)). How does the Holy Spirit speak to us? (Through reading and thinking about the stories in the Bible, by guiding the leaders of the Catholic Church, and our listening to God during prayer). What does it mean to harden your heart? (Not listening to God when he speaks to us).
Older saints: Does the Holy Spirit speak directly to you? Has he called you in your life? If not, how can you open yourself up to listening for this call?
Younger saints: Who is the Holy Spirit? (The Holy Spirit is one of the three parts of the one God. The Holy Spirit is the love between the Father and the Son. (The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism, No. 1, pg 50)). How does the Holy Spirit speak to us? (Through reading and thinking about the stories in the Bible, by guiding the leaders of the Catholic Church, and our listening to God during prayer). What does it mean to harden your heart? (Not listening to God when he speaks to us).
Older saints: Does the Holy Spirit speak directly to you? Has he called you in your life? If not, how can you open yourself up to listening for this call?
Fun
Fact: The seven
gifts of the Holy Spirit are: wisdom,
understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of God.
Saint
of the day:
Name: St. Anthony of Egypt
What they are remembered for: In spite of his lack of education in his upbringing, St. Anthony was blessed by the Lord with a deep and great understanding of scripture. He strived to live out the teachings of Jesus, rather than just meditate on their meaning. He spent much of his life in solitude, but sought to learn from the behavior of other holy individuals who were followers of Jesus.
Feast day: January 17
Name: St. Anthony of Egypt
What they are remembered for: In spite of his lack of education in his upbringing, St. Anthony was blessed by the Lord with a deep and great understanding of scripture. He strived to live out the teachings of Jesus, rather than just meditate on their meaning. He spent much of his life in solitude, but sought to learn from the behavior of other holy individuals who were followers of Jesus.
Feast day: January 17
Daily
Notes:
The reason I started this blog was a feeling that I was being nudged by the Holy Spirit. After ignoring His nudging for a few months (thankfully I didn't have to get swallowed by a big fish before I listened!), I finally gave into His call...
ReplyDeleteHow have you felt the Holy Spirit call you in your own life? Did you heed His first call, or did it take a few nudgings?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete