While hearing voices is mostly regarded as a psychiatric condition (schizophrenia), however, it is well-established that this experience is some times reported by individuals with no history of psychiatric problems. In other words, such persons are either being manipulated or possessed.
On the contrary, in the gospel of today a group of persons heard a voice and there was confusion on what they heard and what it meant. If you wish to know about this read, continue reading slowly…
Cf John 12:20-33
[Jesus said] Now my soul is troubled, and what am I to say? Father, save me from this hour. But it was for this that I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name! Then a voice [of the Father] came from heaven, saying, I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” People standing by, who heard this, said it was a clap of thunder; others said, ‘It was an angel speaking to him.’ Jesus said [in reply to those around him] It was not for me that this voice spoke, but for yours. ‘Now sentence is being passed on this world; now the prince of this world is to be overthrown. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all men to myself.’
POINTS FOR REFLECTION
1. The gospel passage you just read tell us Jesus made this prayer when His soul was in distress- distress of death. He prayed and God the Father responded to the extent those around heard the voice, even though they were not sure about it (John 12:29). But Jesus says the voice is not for him but for US and the voice comes with GLORY and DELIVERANCE. The GLORY is the CROSS and the DELIVERANCE is the casting out of Satan- the prince of this world, and his evil forces
2. The CROSS OF JESUS becomes our source of BLESSING, HEALING, STRENGTH and DELIVERANCE because by his stripes (cross) you have been healed (Isa 53:5; 1Pet 2:21-25). This gives us the reason to call and hope to receive answer.
3. And so in your anguish, who do you call onto- the Lord God or your gods (your strength, friends, influence, business connections, etc) And when you pray to God, what voice(s) do you hear? Do you hear the voice of God comforting you or that of fears telling you to give up or commit suicide? Remember the people around heard one voice but understood differently: for some it was a clash of thunder, for others it was an angel, but for those in the Spirit, it was the voice of the Father glorifying the Son! What voice(s) are you hearing in your present situation? To hear the voice of you must be in the spirit and be trained in the Spirit as St Paul says, because whatever the Lord says is not based on human wisdom or philosophy but the wisdom of God. (1Cor 2, 13-16)
4. To be trained in the Spirit you must submit to God humbly, seek him closely as Scripture says come closer to the Lord and He will come closer to you. Even though He was Son, Christ submitted humbly to the Father as the letter to the Hebrews 5:7-9 tell us:
During his life on earth, Christ offered up prayer and entreaty, aloud and in silent tears, to the one who had the power to save him out of death, and he submitted so humbly that his prayer was heard.
For you to understand someone you need to be closer to them. You cannot understand someone when you keep distance from them.
TASK: [Before you carrying out this task read everything over again once more]
By 12-Noon get the crucifix in your house (size doesn’t matter) Light candles before it and pray slowly PRAYING EVERY WORD from the depths of your heart and say:
Jesus (repeat 7 times), you said the voice of the Father is for ME, Send down your Glory now, Your Kabode Adonai and Let your Glory cleanse me from my sins, let it deliver me, let is heal me now, let it strengthen me now. Make it happen to me NOW in Jesus name (repeat 7 times).
[N.B: If you have been experiencing spiritual problems this may spark spiritual warfare or discomforts in you, so I advice you keep an Olive oil around you before you start]
I pray for you: May the Lord who filled me with his Glory today fill make you experience Him as well in Jesus name. Amen.
