Responding to the Voice of Jesus

When we hear the voice of Jesus, how do we respond? This question has two parts. We first have to hear the voice of God. How do we do that? We only truly hear the voice of God by opening up our hearts and surrendering ourselves to His Most Holy Will. We must be present in His presence. It is true that this can occur in many ways. One spiritual practice that I found to be truly beneficial to my soul is Eucharistic Adoration.

Lifting up my heart to God in praise, thanksgiving, supplication, and contrition in front of the Blessed Sacrament has brought me closer in my relationship with Jesus. He comforts me and we have heart-to-heart encounters in this sacred time of prayer and contemplation. As I have made it a habit to go weekly to Adoration, I find myself seeking Him more and more. I then find Him not just on the altar but in those all around me,. This experience brings me to my next point.

It is not just in silent contemplation where we can find Jesus but in doing the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Whether the acts are big or small, we walk in Christ’s sandals as we bring His love to others with Christ-like charity. In doing so, we ultimately reshape the world around us.  Remember, even the little exchanges that seem insignificant can speak volumes in the grand scheme of things.

Now that we have found Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament or in our own family or even in a stranger, what do we do? This answer is simple yet can be challenging at times, as we are fallen human beings. Jesus gives us the answer many times in Sacred Scripture by an invisible thread that connects all of His teachings and reveals who God is: Love.

“We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. In this is love brought to perfection among us, that we have confidence on the day of judgment because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. This is the commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.” 1 John 4:16-21

“I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13: 34, 354

“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing. For we know partially and we prophesy partially, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things. At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-13

Since we know that to give Christ’s love is the best response to His call, we should not lose faith when at times we fail. Let us always have the courage to get back up, go to confession, and try again. Let us go to Mass weekly and pray daily so we have the strength to be His loving disciples. For by living prayerful and sacramental lives, we show God that we love Him as He loves us.

In the end, listen to Jesus with your whole mind, body, and soul. He always has a message for you to hear as He directs your path to eternal glory.