Ordinary Time

Pause

Jesus, come and be with me.

Awaken me to your presence.

Jesus, come and sit with me.

Guide me in your truth.

Listen

Meanwhile, Saul was still spewing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest, seeking letters to the synagogues in Damascus. If he found persons who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, these letters would authorize him to take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. During the journey, as he approached Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven encircled him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice asking him, “Saul, Saul, why are you harassing me?”

Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?”

“I am Jesus, whom you are harassing,” came the reply. “Now get up and enter the city. You will be told what you must do.”

Acts 9:1-6

Think

Have you ever heard the voice of God? Was it loud and audible? Or quiet and gentle? Did it sound masculine or feminine? Were you scared or excited? I’ve never heard an audible voice from God, and truth be told, I’d rather keep it that way.

But then again, maybe I’m wrong.

Maybe I have heard the voice of God, but didn’t know it at the time. Maybe the voice of God is that gut feeling we have when we know what to do or, better yet, what not to do. Perhaps the voice of God manifests through the advice and counsel of those who know us the best and care deeply about us. Some may call the voice of God our conscience, the ethic by which we live, a moral compass that guides our decision-making skills. Friends, maybe you and I can hear the voice of God after all.

Aram Bae

Pray

God who knows me by my name and calls me, I thank you for the ways you speak to me. Help me to listen, Lord. Help me to make space in my life to hear your voice, and give me courage and passion to respond faithfully. Amen.

Go

Christ my Lord, be alive and real in my life.

Christ my Friend, be near and true to your word.

Christ my God, be honored in what I say and do.