By Heidi Harvey
“so that together you may with one voice
glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”~Romans 15:6
I am amazed by the prophets of old – how they heard God’s voice and loudly, clearly, and courageously shared what God told them. In today’s readings, Isaiah’s prophecy is fulfilled in John the Baptist’s heralding, “Prepare the Way of the Lord! Make straight His paths!” Prophets have a deep intimacy with the Lord in prayer, leading them to hear God’s voice clearly. They trusted God, believing what He said and proclaiming it with great courage.
How did they hear God’s voice so clearly?
They communicated intimately with God! Communication is at the heart of all relationships creating a two-way street for sharing hearts and minds, which forms a deeper level of trust. In the spiritual life, this is called prayer. Intimacy in prayer leads to hearing God’s voice.
Can you hear the voice of the Lord and speak on His behalf?
Of course, you can!! As God’s sheep, we are promised that we can hear the Shepherd’s voice. At our Baptism, we were anointed with the great honor of Christ’s priestly, kingly, and prophetic mission.
God wants us to speak for Him!
Our Catholic faith teaches that public revelation was completed with the last apostle, but private revelation continues. In Lumen Gentium, we hear that “the holy people of God also share in Christ’s prophetic office. It spreads abroad a living witness to Him, especially by means of a life of faith and charity and by offering to God a sacrifice of praise, the tribute of lips which give praise to His name.”
Imagine that! God wants to use your voice and YOU to be His prophet!
The readings remind us that today’s world needs prophets who speak life so “all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”
So how do we speak prophetically?
Hearing God’s voice requires discernment. It takes practice to understand what He is saying, how to interpret it, and to apply it. We start as lambs that grow into greater maturity as sheep who hear His voice. Sometimes God’s voice can sound like our own voice, a thought in our mind, or sometimes He uses our imagination or dreams to speak to us. Some may hear it, others may see images, and others may feel a sensation, but we can all hear God’s voice.
It is exhilarating to encounter the Lord and to really hear His voice!
Sadly, the opposite is true – if we are not talking with God, we will not have intimacy with Him. Without intimacy, we cannot trust Him. Without trust in God’s promises, we cannot receive what he has for us, and the evil one loves a powerless church that cannot hear, see or speak.
Hearing the voice of God is transformational in people’s lives. The world desperately needs to encounter God’s truth and His promises!
So, ask God to hear His voice and pray to hear Him for others.
What is He calling you to share?
Prayer
Speak to me, Lord; your servant is listening. Ask the Lord how He feels about you. Then ask Him what He wants you to share with others to bring hope and encouragement.
Call to Action
With trusting discernment, courage, and love, go out and be God’s prophet heralding the Good News with one voice!
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Beautifully written!
Thank you Heidi! Such a good reminder to seek intimacy with God.
So true! Thank you for your witness!