“If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts” is today’s Alleluia verse, which pulls no punches.  It matches Father Eymard’s declaration, “…tomorrow will be too late!”  Each generation walks the earth and attempts to live lives set before it by our Creator.  And we accept that we are part of God’s plan for creation.

Each generation confronts challenges.  During WWII in Central Europe, there was a tremendous attack with one segment of humanity subjected to gas chambers.  We now have pockets of similar persecutions applied differently all over the world. Distracting us by false issues, the world suggests we “take charge and resolve the problems before us”— not in ways Jesus taught us, nor the Spirit guides us.

We acknowledge that the Holy Spirit always offers us answers and guidance.  Meanwhile, the “world” guides us to ignore what’s happening, and the serpent distracts us with misinformation, encouraging us to “take charge and resolve the problems before us”—but not the way Jesus teaches us.

We need to use the tools Jesus gives us through our Church.  We need the practical tools of corporal and spiritual works of mercy in daily life.  We need to live as brothers and sisters to each other in our families and local communities and embrace the sacraments as actual, dynamic tools in our relationships and ministries.  We need to consciously open our hearts and minds to God in the presence of the Eucharist in adoration, listening (not talking) because the Trinity, the angels, and the saints are speaking to us.  This happens in community.

Be aware.  Listen.  Pay attention.  Pray.  We must live what we receive, Christ, in the Eucharist.

How can I be a better child of God, a better sibling with my peers?

Let Us Pray:

Loving God, the words of Scripture remind us that for freedom, Christ set us free. May your Spirit guide us to walk in this freedom and enable us to free others from what keeps them from living whole human lives. Amen.