HEARING AND LEARNING

HEARING AND LEARNING

“Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from Him comes to me.” – John 6:45b

I was invited to attend a Gender Sensitivity Seminar by a nun. Most of the participants were nuns from different congregations. On the third day, when we prayed the Lord’s Prayer, instead of saying “Our Father,” they changed it to “Our Mother.”

After the prayer service I reacted to it. What they said revealed to me one thing. I was with a feminist group. I told a priest about my “discovery” after the seminar and he confirmed that they were rebel nuns. No one can discount the fact that these “religious” people heard the Lord’s teachings. Apparently, it’s one thing to “hear the Father” and another thing to “learn” from the Father.

Today’s Gospel is very explicit. “Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from Him comes to Me” (italics mine).

The Lord teaches us many things through His Word, but only if we truly grow and learn from them do we come to Jesus.Cristy Galang (cristy_cc@yahoo.com)

REFLECTION:

Do I open my heart and mind to the Spirit so that I learn and grow from His teachings? Or do I listen to Him with a prejudiced heart?

Lord, please instill in me a pure heart, free from all biases and human needs that can stand in the way of Your expectations from me. As I listen to You, guide me towards Your truth. Guide me towards You. Amen.

THE GOSPEL DEMANDS A RESPONSE

One of the important points we can reflect on in this story is how Philip acts immediately upon the response of the person with whom he is sharing the Gospel. He stops the coach and they find a body of water and he baptizes him. Personally I believe that the Gospel demands a response from those who hear it. At the very least, when we read the Gospel we must give assent to its truth and maybe have to go further than simple intellectual assent. To delay responding to a call from the Gospel because it might be inconvenient or embarrassing is to risk losing a moment of grace in our lives. This would be very unfortunate.

Similarly, when we hear a call to respond to God’s grace in our lives in a particular way, we should not delay in doing so as we might be risking the way that the grace would work. It is important for us to “move with the Spirit of God” when He is working in our lives. If we don’t, the Spirit will lose immediate contact with us as He moves on with the plan of God. It is we who will lose the most from our reluctance to obey when called.

God’s grace does not hover around us waiting for us to respond in our own good time. God moves on with His plan whether we want to be a part of it or not, whether we are willing to move in time with Him or not. Unfortunately we will often discover at a later date what might have been if only we had responded earlier!  “What ifs” are scattered along the way of the lives of those who seek comfort over obedience.

There are times when we have to simply trust in God’s goodness and throw a bit of caution to the wind. There is a time for prudence and preparation; there is also a time for adventure and trust. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

Reflection Question:

When was the last time you took a risk in responding to what you believed God was calling you to do in a particular situation?

Holy Spirit, give me the wisdom to know when to hold back and be cautious, and when to trust in God and live the adventure of faith.

St. Miles, pray for us.