
Oh that we would only listen to the voice of the Lord, which comes to us through so many others! We believe without question that God speaks to us when we read and meditate on his inspired Holy Scriptures. This is also true when we participate in the sacred sacramental liturgies, in private devotions, and many other traditional ways. But do we ever listen carefully to what God may be saying to us through other individuals whom we may encounter in our daily lives?
Before Samuel the great prophet the future, was able to recognise the voice of God calling him to a task (1 Sam 3:3-10, 19). He had to listen to the counselling of Eli the High Priest. Then, two of John’s disciples had to listen to the advice of the Baptist before they could recognise the “Lamb of God”. Andrew and another disciple had to listen to Jesus before they recognised the Messiah. And, even the future “great” St. Peter had to listen to his brother Andrew so that he could become a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Son of God (John 1:35-42).
The response of faith about whether to doubt and/ or ignore Jesus has always been, “Come and you will see.” When you spend quality time with Jesus every day (i.e., Mass, prayers, scripture, meditation, helping the poor) you will be changed. You will receive clearness of vision and the gift of recognising God’s will, as distinct from the will that our very sick culture tries to impose upon us. The will of God is that we should listen to and follow Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Son of God. His way is not the way of our society, but the way of truth and peace and love. If you conscientiously seek him, he will definitely let you find him!
As followers of Jesus, we are called to give, to serve and to suffer if necessary. The title “Lamb” of God – the Lamb that we are called to follow daily – indicates a serving, suffering, loving person who is also the Paschal Lamb, our Redeemer. My friends, listening to him must be part of our daily lives.