Ordinary Time

Pause

There are two steps in the process: first, you must listen, paying attention to what is being shared. Then, you must hear; that means you try to take in all the meaning of what you’ve been listening to, making an effort to understand.

Living in relationship with another requires that you are willing to become vulnerable to the life and experience of another, and care enough to experience it yourself—at least to some small degree.

Listen. God is speaking. Do you hear?

Listen

"As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing."

Matthew 13:12

Think

I believe that we all want to do good. I also know that there are practicalities of life that often fight against our ability to hold onto that yearning to be a positive influence. We yearn to be in a safe place—physically, emotionally, and financially—and we are forced to make choices that seem to be between our faith and our security.

While there are certainly times when life’s choices are clear, most of the time the decisions we make are not so easy. Anxiety, fear, and worry are normal, but we must not let these things drive our decisions over and above the ways God would hope for us to live. We must acknowledge those things that may be obstacles to living as God intends, but we must, must, must not let those things speak in a way that causes us to no longer listen to God.

Bruce Reyes-Chow

Pray

God, as I live my life in a world of worry and wealth, help me to find more riches and security in your word than from that which the world lays before me. Amen.

Go

As you go throughout your day, will you listen? God is speaking and you will be wise to pay attention.

Hear what God is saying. Feel the power of God’s voice and go then wherever you may be directed. There is life abundant within for your journey.