VOICE LESSONS

"We have been disobedient to the Lord, our God, and only too ready to disregard His voice." -Baruch 1:19

Jesus commented that His sheep "recognize His voice" and "follow Him" (Jn 10:4). Jesus' followers "will not follow a stranger; such a one they will flee, because they do not recognize a stranger's voice" (Jn 10:5).

Sometimes the Lord's voice is not easy to hear. Jesus speaks softly, not crying out (Mt 12:19). The Lord often speaks most powerfully in "a still small voice" (1 Kgs 19:12, RSV-CE). Like Mary of Bethany, we must choose the best part, put everything aside, sit at Jesus' feet, and listen to His voice (Lk 10:39). We must repent of disregarding His voice and diligently listen for it. We must shut off the TV and turn off our computers. If we don't turn off the voices of those competing with God for our attention, those voices may prevail (see Lk 23:23ff). We must rise early while it is still quiet and listen for His voice. Otherwise, we will be "only too ready to disregard His voice" (Bar 1:19).

"Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ" (Catechism, 133) and of His voice. We will hear His voice if we are committed to hearing Him and committed to the truth (Jn 18:37).

On Judgment Day, all will hear and recognize Jesus' voice (Jn 5:28). Then it will be too late to repent and change (Jn 5:29). Will Judgment Day be the first time you recognize His voice? "Oh, that today you would hear His voice" (Ps 95:7).


Prayer: Jesus, like St. John the Baptizer, I will listen for you and rejoice greatly at the sound of Your voice (Jn 3:29).

Promise: "He who hears you, hears Me." -Lk 10:16

Praise: St. Jerome, after studying Latin and Greek, becoming an orator and touring Gaul, heard the call and was baptized. He used his skills to translate the Word of God so that many could hear the voice of their Lord.

ANGELS NOW MORE THAN EVER

"Thousands upon thousands were ministering to Him." -Daniel 7:10

Today's feast day honors the archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, the only angels mentioned by name in the Bible. We thank God for these three archangels. We need them now more than ever.

The only way to understand nearly forty years of killing millions of babies through abortion and the collapse of marriage and family life is to realize that "our battle is not against human forces" but against the devil (Eph 6:12). We need Michael to fulfill his part in God's plan of salvation: to fight and defeat the devil (Rv 12:7-9).

Our society is smothered in bad news. Daily we gorge ourselves on it. We rejoice in what is wrong rather than in the truth (1 Cor 13:6). In a world of faithless confusion, we need the light and good news of Gabriel (see Dn 9:21; Lk 1:26).

The blindness of sin is so pervasive in our society. When we refuse to repent, we even blind ourselves and become blind to being blind (see Is 29:9). Under these circumstances, we need Raphael to open our eyes (see Tb 11:7ff).

All angels are sent by God to serve us "who are to inherit salvation" (Heb 1:14). We are in great need, and God has provided angelic servants for us. Employ these mighty creatures to help you serve the Lord.


Prayer: Father, You created angels for good reason. May I let them be fully active in my life.

Promise: "You shall see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." -Jn 1:51

Praise: "It was I who presented and read the record of your prayer...I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who enter and serve before the Glory of the Lord" (Tb 12:12, 15).

I SIMPLY LOVE TO REPAIR

"How could I not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been eaten out by fire?" -Nehemiah 2:3

Nehemiah was noticeably sad because Jerusalem and its walls needed major repairs. Those promoting devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus have repeatedly emphasized the need for reparation, that is, repairing a world broken and shattered by sin. We hear a lot today about brokenness, broken hearts, and shattered lives. If we really care, we should be concerned about repairing what has been broken.

Of course, we are quite concerned about repairing some things. We want our cars, appliances, and houses repaired. However, these repairs take up so much of our time, energy, and resources that we are not too concerned about repairing God's Church and His people (see Hg 1:2-4). This situation shows that we need to simplify our lives greatly. The more possessions we have, the more we have to repair. The more things we have to repair, the less time we may give to repairing God's Church.

If we truly love God and His people, we will be in the repair business. We will be doing penance to repair the effects of sin. To do repairs for God, we must simplify our lives. Therefore, if we simplify, we show our love for the brokenhearted and for the Lord of the brokenhearted (see Ps 34:19). Simplify; repair; love.


Prayer: Father, grace me to renew and repair Your Church, as St. Teresa and St. Francis did. May I be a "repairer of the breach" and a "restorer of ruined homesteads" (Is 58:12).

Promise: "Jesus said to him, 'The foxes have lairs, the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.' To another He said, 'Come after Me.' " -Lk 9:58-59

Praise: After being accused of a crime in the Philippines, St. Lawrence fled his homeland. He ultimately laid down his life for Jesus in martyrdom in Nagasaki, Japan.

LIGHTEN UP!

"In those days ten men of every nationality, speaking different tongues, shall take hold, yes, take hold of every Jew by the edge of his garment and say, 'Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.' " -Zechariah 8:23

Jesus always attracted people to Himself. The rich, poor, pagans, religious, sinners, and other groups of people flocked to Jesus in great crowds. Much like a bright light attracts insects at night, Jesus, "the Light of the World" (Jn 9:5), attracts people.

As disciples of Jesus, we "possess the light of life" (Jn 8:12). We "are the light of the world" (Mt 5:14) because we are in Jesus the Light. Since Jesus shines through us, people will be attracted to us (cf Zec 8:23) and thus to Jesus through us.

Why aren't people flocking en masse to our churches? One possibility is that we, Jesus' disciples, aren't living in His light. Our worldly lifestyle blinds us to the light (2 Cor 4:4) and dulls our sensitivity to the seriousness of our sins. Thus, we become opaque and the light of Jesus doesn't shine brightly through us.

Repent! Die to yourself (Jn 12:24), take up your cross anew each day (Lk 9:23), and be crucified to the world (Gal 6:14). "Awake, O sleeper, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light" (Eph 5:14). Let Jesus remove your opaqueness and make you transparent. "Live as children of light" (Eph 5:8) and let Jesus use you as a lighthouse to bring many thousands to Himself.


Prayer: Jesus, consume me with the fire of Your love (Heb 12:29). May nations walk by Your light shining through me (Is 60:3).

Promise: "Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem." -Zec 8:22

Praise: St. Vincent was sold into slavery but miraculously escaped two years later. He continues to inspire and be a light as he guides others to be generous to the poor and needy.

PRAYING THE BIBLE

"Ever since we heard this we have been praying for you unceasingly."

-Colossians 1:9
 
The Lord calls us not only to read the Bible, but also to live the Bible. 

Part of living the Bible is to pray the Bible. 

Consider praying today's first Scripture reading. 

First, pray for "full knowledge of [God's] will through perfect 

wisdom and spiritual insight" (Col 1:9). 

Second, pray to "lead a life worthy of the Lord and 

pleasing to Him in every way" (Col 1:10). 

Third, pray to "multiply good works of every sort and 

grow in the knowledge of God" (Col 1:10). 

Finally, pray for "the strength needed to stand fast, 

even to endure joyfully whatever may come" (Col 1:11).
 
Consider praying this four-part prayer every day during the month of September, 

or as long as the Spirit leads you to pray it. 

You will not only receive the immediate benefits of the prayer,

but also the inspiration to pray other parts of the Bible. 

This can revolutionize your prayer life, 

which will in turn transform your entire life.
 
Praying the Bible vastly improves our hearing of the Lord (see Rm 10:17), 

which will deepen our communication and relationship with Him. 

Praying the Bible purifies our hearts (Lk 24:32)

by judging its "reflections and thoughts" (Heb 4:12). 

Through praying His word, the Lord will do more than we ever asked 

or imagined (Eph 3:20). Make the Bible your prayer book.
 
 
Prayer: Father, teach me to pray before, during, and after reading Your word.
 
Promise: "Do not be afraid. From now on you will be catching men." -Lk 5:10
 
Praise: Praying before the Blessed Sacrament empowers and motivates 

Charles to evangelize those around him.