Learning to Listen to the voice of God

 

Reflection for the 2^nd Sunday in Lent, Year B

Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

Readings: Genesis 22:1-2, 9a. 10-13, 15-18, Romans 8:31b-34, Mark 9:2-10

 

The gospel reading of this second Sunday in Lent is on the Transfiguration of Jesus. Jesus took with him, Peter, James and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves and there, he was transfigured before them (Mark 9:2). Then, Elijah appeared to them with Moses and as they were talking with Jesus, a cloud came, covering them in shadow; and there came a voice from the cloud, “This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him” (Mark 9:7). This voice is an echo of the voice at the baptism of Jesus. At baptism, the voice was addressed to Jesus (Matthew 3:17) but at the Transfiguration, the voice was addressed to the disciples of Jesus. As modern-day disciples of Jesus, let us bear in mind that Jesus is a teacher that we are supposed to listen to. Are there other voices that we are listening to and taking instructions from other than that of Jesus?

The holy season of Lent is a time of listening more to the voice of Jesus especially through prayer, reflection and meditation. In prayer, we talk to Jesus and in meditation, we listen to Jesus and allow him speak to us. Jesus always speaks to us but we often do not listen to him. To be able to listen to the voice of Jesus, we have to turn down the volume of other worldly voices within us and the distractions around us (the modern means of communications, the social media etc.). Apparently, they are the things that prevent us from fulfilling the Father’s command to listen to the voice of Jesus. If there is one thing we have to pay attention to in this period of Lent, it is learning to listen to Jesus in every circumstance of our life. Find that quiet time each day, create that needed conducive atmosphere and allow Jesus speak to you.

The first reading of today also adds some input to our theme of reflection. In that passage, we read that God spoke to Abraham and instructed him to offer his only son, Isaac as a burnt offering to the Lord (Gen. 22:2). Isaac was Abraham’s last hope for the survival of his family. As such, the demand that was made of him was a difficult one. Notwithstanding, Abraham obeyed the voice of God. He was determined to offer up his son before the angel of the Lord intervened and provided the ram for the sacrifice (Gen. 22:11-13). Dear friend, God is speaking to us in this season of Lent and like Abraham, he is also asking us to give up something. In most cases, it is a difficult demand because what he may be asking us to give up may be something that we cannot do without (pleasure, lifestyle); something/one that we hold dear (friends who mislead us and those who add no value to our life). Let us ask for the grace to be able to discern what God is asking us to give up and for the readiness/disposition to obey the voice of God.

This period is a time of giving up food, drink and other material possessions. But it is not just limited to these. It is also a time for us to give up fear of failure, feelings of unworthiness, pleasing other people, impurity/sinfulness, mediocrity, bitterness, hatred, anger, impatience, worry, negativity, unworthiness and other bad habits and vibes. May the Lord grant us an attentive mind to listen to him and an obedient spirit to do whatever he tells us. Amen.