The Voice of God Told Me

When someone claims it was the voice of God that directed them to take action, we naturally get just a little suspicious. We feel that way because we know of incidents when an unbalanced person has used it as the rationale for actions we are confident God would not sanction. We treat such claims with skepticism because we no doubt have asked for God's guidance in a problem, and God remained silent. Rather than hearing a booming voice come down from heaven to resolve our conflict, there hasn't even been a whisper from the divine.

Why shouldn't God speak to us? The scriptures are full of instances when people felt God speaking to them. God communicated with our ancestors in faith, so why can't God speak to people today? Fr. James Martin, S.J. in his recent book, Learning to Pray: A Guide for Everyone, suggests God speaks to us not so much in a physical way but by willing His message into our consciousness. Martin claims God speaking to us seems rare because we are so self-aware we don't allow God's words to enter our heads even in prayer. We are afraid to believe we can hear God's voice because we are worried it might only be our manufactured answer. Martin says that if we are open enough to God, God will speak to us at times. Not in grand instructions but with words or phrases that startle us with their immediacy. God's word makes us stop and ask ourselves, "Where did this come from?" God can do this whenever God wants and probably more often than we think, but we aren't listening.

How do we discern what might be God's voice and what might be our contrived message to ourselves? Martin quotes the spiritual writer Vinita Hampton Wright who said, "God's voice has the ring of truth, and it sounds like something God or Jesus would say." Martin suggests five guidelines to help test a supposed message from God.

They are usually short, not long sentences but pithy phrases that get right to the point. Martin claims if they were too long, our natural inclination would be to overthink them. So God keeps it short and sweet, so His word impacts us.

Next, Martin says God's messages are surprising and nearly always catch us off guard. Their timing and content are startling. They come when we aren't necessarily anticipating them, and God's messages have an otherness to them that makes us realize they came from God and aren't of our own making.

A message from God gets to the point Martin claims, and they get to the heart of the matter. They strike us as being much like Jesus' own direct responses to people's questions for him in the gospels. Finally, messages from God leave a mark on us, and they get down into our souls to stay there. Over the years, we recall God's message, and they profoundly impact our lives again and again.

So, prepare yourself to hear God and Jesus speaking to you. It happens but not as you may expect. Anticipate God's message to be surprising yet having a great impact. Follow God's guidance and let God's grace bear fruit in your life.

SYNOD NEWS – Next Listening Session on February 26

We have now completed our first three listening sessions. All three have been well attended. We have received many excellent ideas regarding how Holy Redeemer could better serve its parishioners and potential changes that could improve the global Church.

One of the ideas that all listening session participants have consistently mentioned is the establishment of a library for religious-themed books and magazines for use by parishioners. The parish already possesses a number of excellent books and magazines which could form the basis for a library. Many listening session participants also indicated that they would be happy to donate appropriate books and magazines to a church library. They thought other parishioners would be willing to make similar donations.

Given the nearly unanimous interest in a church library by listening session participants, the idea was presented to Father Sullivan, who enthusiastically supported its implementation. We are pleased to announce the development of the Holy Redeemer Library will begin shortly.

If you have not done so already, please make sure to attend one of the upcoming listening sessions. We would very much like to hear your vision for Holy Redeemer parish and the Church in general. The next session will be held on Saturday, February 26, in the parish hall. Additional listening sessions will be held on Saturday, March 19, and Saturday, April 2. All listening sessions will start at 1:00 pm. If you cannot make it to one of the in-person listening sessions, please complete a paper survey instead. Surveys are available at the back of the church and can be completed and returned at your convenience.

Please join us in the synod process and share your thoughts.

Here Comes Lent

The season of Lent is right around the corner. Ash Wednesday is March 2. Masses for Ash Wednesday will be celebrated at 8 am, 12:05 pm, and 7 pm. Registered parishioners will receive a Lenten letter from the parish this week. It includes a brochure, Hope in the Cross, A Lenten Experience. Read the leaflet over and learn some new ideas on making a spiritually enriching season.

On the table at the back of the church, we have My Daily Visitor Lenten booklets for you. The booklet includes a Gospel Reflection, Prayer, and a suggestion for living for each day of Lent. Take one for yourself and one for a friend. They will help make your Lent more worthwhile in 2022.

Reciting the Stations of the Cross on Fridays is a Lenten tradition. We will be conducting this devotion every Friday at 3 pm, and each week we will recite a different version of the Stations. Make the Stations and Daily Mass part of your prayer life this Lent.

We will collect palms next Sunday if you want to dispose of them. For that purpose, a basket for you will be at the back of the church.