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A WORD FROM THE PASTOR

Whispering God

There is a story told about a young man and an old preacher. The young man had lost his job and didn’t know which way to turn. So, he went to see the old preacher. Being impatient with the preacher’s long preaching, the young man interrupted and emotionally posed his problem. He clenched his fist and shouted, “I've begged God to say something to help me. Tell me, preacher, why doesn't God answer?” Listen to God's Voice

 
The old preacher, who sat across the room, spoke something in reply – something so hushed, it was not clear. The young man stepped across the room. “What did you say?” he asked. The preacher repeated himself, but again in a tone as soft as a whisper. So, the young man moved closer until he was leaning on the preacher's chair. “Sorry,” he said. “I still didn't hear you.” With their heads bent together, the old preacher spoke once more. “God sometimes whispers,” he said, “so that we will move closer to hear him.” This time the young man heard, and he understood.

 
We all want God's voice to thunder through the air with the answer to our problem. But it is a small voice… the gentle whisper. Perhaps there's a reason. Nothing draws human focus quite like a whisper. God's whisper means I must stop and move close to him, until my head is bent together with his. Then, as I listen, I will find my answer. Better still, I find myself closer to God. Prophet Elijah heard the voice of God not in earthquake, thunder and storm, but only in gentle breeze (1 king 19:9-18).

  Today is the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Scripture Readings of today speak of God's kindness and his saving presence amidst trials and afflictions.

  There are some who are neither watchful nor truthful in listening to God. Their complaint is “God is not answering my prayers.” There are some in the church choose to sit closer to the altar because they want to be attentive to what is going on in the church. Those who prefer to sit somewhere at the back are likely to get distracted and complain that they do not hear or understand well.

  Let us heed our ears in listening to God’s voice; be sure that he is whispering quite often in various ways. Be watchful and truthful!

In the Service of the Lord,
  Fr Thainese Alphonse

 

     
       
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St. Bernadette Catholic Church