10th Week of OT 2018 - Friday - Tiny Whispers and Clear Teachings

What an interesting dichotomy of readings.

On one hand, from the first book of Kings, we hear the beloved account of Elijah, listening on Mt Horeb for the voice of God. And the voice of God was not in the fierce rock-crushing, mountain-rending wind, the earthquake or the fire, but in the tiny whispering sound. And it was this barely detectable whisper that sent the prophet Elijah on his sacred mission.

On the other hand, in our Gospel, Jesus is giving this rather blunt-force moral teaching on how to avoid sexual temptation and the sinfulness of illegitimate remarriage after divorce.

Our scriptures hold these two readings side-by-side for us, to remind us, perhaps, that it is not either-or, but, both-and.

Yes, God speaks to us in the quiet, in the silence. And so we have a duty to listen to him there, in the silence, the duty to quiet down our lives every day to hear that whisper. The inspiration to go out to serve the needy, to reach out to a down-trodden neighbor, the impulse to offer one’s life by following a religious vocation, these messages often come in a whisper.

But then, God knows that we also need the very clear, loud voice of the moral teaching of the Church. When it comes down to the difference between right-and-wrong the voice of God is pretty clear.

I think part of today’s religious confusion is that we want inspiration to come in the form of undeniably loud signs or bright-neon lights,  “bring food to the hungry”, “join the seminary.” And some want the clear moral teaching of the Church to be hushed, to be left to the individual to discern for themselves. But we must develop an ear, an obedience, to both ways the voice of God, the Word of God, comes to us: obedient to those quiet inspirations and obedient to the clear moral teaching of the Church’s magisterium.

“Whoever has ears, let them hear” and follow the Lord’s voice faithfully and courageously, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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For all the priests of our diocese beginning new assignments this week, for their attentiveness to the needs of those they serve.

For those experiencing discouragement or despair, that they may know the goodness and closeness of God through the charity of faithful Christians.

For the unity of the Church, for the conversion of those in error, for those who deny God’s existence or despair of his mercy.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord