1 Kings 19:12-13
"But the LORD was not in the fire.After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak."
This reading from the book of Kings has always intrigued me precisely because it challenges my conception of God. It makes sense to me to think of God as a driving wind, an earthquake, or a raging fire. Those images are powerful, elemental, and inarguably transformative. However, the passage says that God wasn't in any of those things. Rather, God was in a tiny, whispering sound.
A whisper is the opposite of noise. It is used to convey messages only meant for us to hear. It is the gentle "I love you" of a parent when kissing a sleepy child good night. It is the barely contained exhilaration of a person who is in love. It is the subtle itch of conscience calling us back to who we are when we've done wrong. It is the quiet, tearful goodbye to a loved one who is dying. It is the irresistible voice that comes from something much greater that calls us to be a follower of Christ.
What is God whispering to you today?
Lord, help to quiet our souls to hear God's whisper.
Get to know our writers! Today's reflection was written by:
Chris Pastura
Did You Know...
Chris Pastura is the Superintendent of Catholic Schools and Centers for the Diocese of St. Petersburg. He has worked in a variety of roles in Catholic education and ministry for the past 29 years. Mr. Pastura holds a bachelor's degree in Theology and a master's degree in Educational Administration, both from Xavier University, as well as a Master's degree in Nonprofit Administration from the University of Notre Dame.
