09
Jan
HOMILY, REFLECTIONS

THIS IS MY BELOVED SON: YOU CAN HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD IN YOUR LIFE AS WELL | The Baptism of the Lord | Year A

Posted on by Fr. Simon Onyekachi Madu, OSJ

Do you easily hear ‘the voice of your problems, difficulties and failures’ but find it very hard to hear the Voice of God in your life? If yes, hear me! You hear people say ‘God spoke to me’, ‘the Spirit revealed to me’ and you’re like: ‘but I am baptised and confirmed, why am I not having this experience?’ What is happening to me? Until you start asking these questions, you’re not ready to grow spiritually.

In my pastoral ministry I hear this complain almost everyday. Some time ago, it was an elderly woman who said to me: Father whenever I am in church for Holy Mass I am always distracted. My mind begins to go around many things: what to do, what I left undone, my difficulties, etc, and at the end I am distracted and benefit nothing. But after that encounter with me, she came back thanking me that my counsel and prayers are working. I know you sometimes experience this and you’re interested in knowing what I told her. Continue reading slowly…

Cf. Luke 3:15-16,21-22
…Now when all the people had been baptised and while Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer, heaven opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily shape, like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.’
 
POINTS FOR REFLECTION
1. Child of God, you may be baptised and confirmed, go to Holy mass, etc but still lack the ability to hear God speaking to you. Yes you heard me well! Many were baptised alongside Jesus, but only at the baptism of Jesus that the Voice of the Father was heard! Other gospel writers (Matthew and Mark) say this voice was heard at the river Jordan, immediately after the baptism (Matt 3:16-17; Mk 1:10-11). But Luke’s account give us a nuance relevant for our understanding: the Voice of the Father was heard “WHILE JESUS WAS AT PRAYER” (Lk 3:21-22). You want to hear God’s voice? BE A PERSON OF PRAYER AND MEDITATION. But how can you recognise it is God’s Voice and not a demon or your carnal or selfish mind speaking without knowledge of THE WORD OF GOD (the Bible)?

2. To the woman, I said: it is the enemy’s plan to distract you from hearing the Voice of God whenever you’re in church, hence he distracts you. The devil is always interested in what God had said, he knows God’s Word is full of power (Ps 29: 4), and the WORD OF GOD has the ability to transform those who hear it and believe it (2 Tim 3:16).  But no, the devil wants your destruction hence he distracts you. That is why to tempt Eve the devil asked her what had God said (Cf. Gen 3:1) Listen again: to tempt Jesus the devil reminds Him what the Father said to Him at his baptism: If you are the (Beloved) Son of God, turn these stones to bread (Lk 4:3). Now declare that very Word and say like Jesus whenever you’re distracted: Be gone Satan! for that which you suggest is not from God, in the name of Jesus. AMEN! (Cf. Matt 4:10). And this became her testimony.3. Child of God without deep Prayer and Meditation, you will lose touch of all the Sacramental graces you have received. You have the potential but wont bear fruits. Only through prayer you keep in touch with the Dispenser of the gifts and sacramental graces, and benefit from it.

TASK: (i) Be a man or woman of Prayer. Your prayer is empty without the Word: so read and meditate on it day and night (Joshua 1:8). Practice reading the word by picking up your Bible now and read every Bible passage quoted in this writeup, and make it part of you by writing it down. Read Habakkuk 2:1-4 and see why you should write. Great wisdom is preserved in writing.
(ii) Be true to the sacraments you have received. Remember, “God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth” (Jn 4:24).
(iii) Put into use your gifts and sacramental graces, otherwise it dies. Hence St Paul tells Timothy: “fan into flame the gift of God (the sacraments), which is in you through the laying on of my hands” (2 Tim 1:6).
 
I Pray for You: may the God of all consolation, who is faithful to His Words bless and protect you this year and make his Words come true in your life, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Fr. Simon Onyekachi Madu, OSJ

Is a Catholic Priest of the Oblates of St. Joseph. He developed this medium to promote prayer life, spiritual growth, and meditation on the Word of God. He is a relationship and marriage counsellor, a deliverance minister, a mentor for career development, and a Canon Lawyer. You can call him for prayers, deliverance sessions, counselling or mentorship. Follow and pray with him daily across all social media platforms and Subscribe to his YouTube Channel with the links provided on this web. God bless you.

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