26 January, Sunday — Hearing God’s voice

3^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Neh 8:2-6,​8-10
1 Cor 12:12-30
Lk 1:1-4,​4:14-21

For the people were all in tears as they listened to the words of the Law.

In today’s first reading, Nehemiah tells the people of Israel, recently returned from exile in Babylon, not to mourn or weep as they listen to the Law of God. I imagine that some of their tears were not of sorrow, but of joy and gratitude because they were hearing God’s Word again. Brothers and sisters, have you ever been moved to tears by God’s Word?

Today is the Sunday of the Word of God, a day instituted by Pope Francis in 2019 to celebrate and study Sacred Scripture. In his Apostolic Letter Aperuit Illis, Pope Francis writes, “I proposed setting aside a Sunday given over entirely to the word of God, so as to appreciate the inexhaustible riches contained in that constant dialogue between the Lord and his people.”

I can personally testify to the transformative power of this dialogue. Scripture was the cornerstone of my conversion and my ‘return’ to the Church more than ten years ago. Until then, I was what you might call a Sunday Catholic, attending Mass once a week out of obligation. My life was consumed by the rat race. Despite being stressed out and unhappy, I couldn’t imagine leaving my job. Fuelled by the pursuit of monetary rewards, I believed nothing else could bring fulfilment. For a long time, I felt that attending church on Sundays and my personal prayers were enough to maintain a relationship with God.

Then, the Lord began to pursue me with His Word. For two years, He spoke to me through various people, repeating words from a specific scripture passage. At first, I didn’t pay much attention. But as more people, including an atheist (a reminder that anyone can be God’s instrument), shared the same passage with me, I could no longer ignore it; I opened my heart and decided to listen.

Curious and intrigued, I began reading the Bible, starting with the passage that had spoken to me so persistently. Before this, the Liturgy of the Word during Mass had been little more than a series of random scripture readings to me. I heard the words, but never truly listened to what God was saying. Now, it felt as if God was speaking directly to me. The Bible had become His personal channel of communication with me.

Around that time, I noticed a promotional poster for a Bible course at my church, and decided to sign up because I wanted to learn more about this communication channel with God. Fast forward 11 years later, I am now a facilitator in my church’s Bible Ministry. My love for His Word has continued to grow, and I am nourished each day by the conversations we have.

In the past, whenever I prayed, I always asked God to show me clearly what He wanted me to do and then, I struggled to hear His response. But now, when I read Scripture, there is always a message for me from Him. Sometimes it’s an answer to a prayer; sometimes it’s guidance on how to approach a problem or get through a challenging day. Sometimes it’s a warning — telling me to avoid something. But over and above it all, through His Word, I have the reassurance that He is present, that He is listening to me, and that He is communicating with me.

Today, on the Sunday of the Word of God, I will be standing at the piazza of my church, promoting the new Bible study we will launch in February. My hope is that more people will discover the richness of His Word and experience the heartfelt conversations with the Lord that I have been blessed to have. Brothers and sisters, perhaps you, too, have felt moments when God’s Word reached deep into your heart. I encourage you to embrace those moments, to dive into scripture, and to allow it to transform your life. May His Word guide you, strengthen you, and transform you — today and every day.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Esther Leet)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to treasure the inexhaustible riches of scripture. May we open our hearts to the constant dialogue You invite us to have with You. Amen.

Thanksgiving: Thank You, Lord, for Your words of spirit and life. Thank You for always speaking to us whenever we turn to You in scripture. Amen.