Wednesday of Week 1 in Ordinary Time
1 Sam 3:1-10,19-20
Mk 1:29-39
Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.
I shared some time back, on how many of us remain numb to God’s Word today. Admittedly, it isn’t easy to be sensitive to His promptings amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life. However, I know He has always been there, guiding me and speaking through the words of a song, a bible verse, the whisper of a cool breeze and especially in the confessional as the priest counsels me and gives me absolution.
What I have learnt over the years is that my heart needs to be quiet and for me, I have to listen without questioning. This can be tough, since I have been trained to always question and probe till I get to the facts. But when it comes to the Lord, I have to trust unquestioningly and to be absolutely obedient. For ‘He is the Lord. He will do what he judges best.’ In a world filled with hatred and violence, where power and knowledge rule and where those who remain silent generally tend to be seen as weak-willed and subservient while those ‘in power’ lord it over everyone else and issue commands willy-nilly, I find myself at a loss sometimes. But when I am plunged into the darkness of sin, I find solace and comfort in the Lord’s mercy and His comforting words. And He does speak to us as long as we remain silent in our hearts.
Towards the end of last year, the Lord called me to make another journey with Him. And as I discern my walk with Him this year, I am constantly reminded to be spiritually prepared as well. Because all the planning, training and spiritual discernment will come to nought if, within my heart, I am not as well-prepared. Already, challenges are beginning to surface and I have been called to be more open to His promptings on a daily basis. At the same time, a new opportunity beckons as I have been invited to share my journey over the past few years with a group of Catholic brothers in a few week’s time. It fills me with hope and gratitude.
Brothers and sisters, each new day presents us with opportunities to be attentive to what the Lord has in store for us. For just as the Lord spoke to Samuel, He is also speaking to us through the people we encounter and the challenges that we face. All He asks is that we still our hearts and open our ears in order to discern His words and His hand in our lives. Are we able to trust in Him and answer with a firm ‘Yes’?
(Today’s OXYGEN by Desmond Soon)
Prayer: Lord, as we go about our daily lives, speak to us and show us your plan so that we can walk towards you in trust and in confidence.
Thanksgiving: Father, we thank you for being the shepherd of our lives and for giving us the courage to act upon your Word.
OXYGEN 
Leave a Reply