Can You Hear Him?
Uncategorized June 13th, 2008One of today's readings offers a great example of why it is so important to quiet ourselves and listen for God. In 1 Kings 19:11-13, God tells Elijah to meet Him on the mountain. Elijah does so, and witnesses a great wind, an earthquake, and fire, but God wasn't in any of them. He came in a tiny whispering sound.
When we pray, how often are we waiting for God to reveal Himself (or His work in our lives) in a loud, grand fashion? How often are we waiting for some kind of huge, miraculous sign that shows how great our Lord is? If we are, we might be waiting for a while. We need to quiet ourselves and be ready to hear God and notice Him, or we could miss what He's trying to tell us. That's why it's so important to spend time in prayer every day…not just talking, but also listening. We have to put away our distractions and turn everything else off, and truly allow ourselves to be in God's presence. This isn't easy– trust me, I know. But God is worth our time and effort– as much as it takes! (And there are so many different forms of prayer! If one doesn't seem to "work" for you, try another. How about trying meditative or contemplative prayer? Or the Rosary? Or Lectio Divina?)
My prayers are with you, as always. If you ever have questions about prayer, just ask!
11And he said to him: Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord: and behold the Lord passeth, and a great and strong wind before the Lord over throwing the mountains, and breaking the rocks in pieces: the Lord is not in the wind, and after the wind an earthquake: the Lord is not in the earthquake.
12And after the earthquake a fire: the Lord is not in the fire, and after the fire a whistling of a gentle air.
13And when Elias heard it, he covered his face with his mantle, and coming forth stood in the entering in of the cave, and behold a voice unto him, saying: What dost thou here, Elias? And he answered:
