Can you hear?

Since I started writing this blog about my Lenten journey, friends and family who are reading it have been sending me their thoughts and things they have read about relationship with God. I am finding that, like me, many people run into the same sorts of barriers to a relationship with the Lord, but the same sort of joy when you feel the presence of God.

St. Mark’s gospel today was about the Transfiguration. In his homily, Father talked about how being on that mountain top and witnessing the Transfiguration must have been a real high point for Peter, James, and John in their relationship with Jesus. Just a few weeks later, Father reminded us that those were the same three that Jesus took with him into Gethsemane just before he was arrested. They couldn’t keep their eyes open while Jesus, fearful of what was to come, prayed for the cup to pass. Not being able to help Jesus when he needed them most must have been a low point in that relationship.

What struck me most about the gospel, however, was when God the Father’s voice came from heaven and said, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him.”

Listen to Him.

Day after day I pray for myself, for my friends, for my family. I pray for peace. I pray that the economy strengthens. I pray in thanksgiving. But I don’t think that I listen very well.

My stepmother told me in an email this morning that when she sits down each day to do her Bible Study lesson, she has a very strong sense that God is waiting there for her to sit down and spend time with him. A Catholic Bible scholar told me recently that reading the Bible is one of the best ways to listen to God – through his Word. Undoubtedly God is waiting for her to spend that glorious time to share his inspired words.

My sister sent me this link to something her pastor had written about prayer. In this letter to his parishioners, the priest talks about prayer as being an intimate conversation with God. He says, “It is just sitting quietly and enjoying His company, much like two good friends who can be in one another’s company and not have to talk.”

We all have high points in our relationship with God, just like Peter, James, John. But if we continue to strengthen that relationship through prayer and listening, I think the low points won't defeat us so much.

“This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him.” I’ll keep trying to shut up and listen!