If today you hear God's voice, harden not your heart. Ps. 95:8
The Church calls this time we're in, "Ordinary Time". Could any time be ordinary? The pandemic has changed our ordinary time.
As a Benedictine I've prayed the psalms for decades, yet the parts of the liturgy for Tuesday 15th Week in Ordinary Time, that struck me were the Psalm Response & Gospel Acclamation.
Ps. 95, Gospel Acclamation, "If today you hear God's voice, harden not your heart" is a verse quoted in the Rule of Benedict, Prologue v. 10.
When I teach others of Benedictine life, I ask, "What is the first word in the Rule?" Listen! If it were the only word, it would be enough to give us direction.
If today you hear God's voice, harden not your heart.
God is always there; at times we aren't.
We feel like we are (using images from Responsorial Ps. 69)
in a swamp or flood ---weather extremes, climate change, famines, fires...
in watery depths ---poverty, racism, injustice, war...
we're afflicted & in pain --- Covid, fear, death of many others
Then the Responsorial Ps. 69 gives us direction: "Turn to God in your need & you will live." Another verse from the Rule rises: Seek God! Revive! The Lord hears the needy. We are all needy.
The challenge of Ordinary Time is Seek God! Listen!
To what/whom do you listen?
Loving God, help us listen & seek You in the Scriptures. Heal our hardened hearts so we can recognize your faithful presence with us & then be your mercy, your love to others. Amen.
Today's reflection is by:
Sister Mary David, OSB
Did You Know...
Sr. Mary David Hydro, OSB, is a Benedictine Sister of Florida. A teacher at heart, she feeds "hungers" of God's people through Retreats & Spiritual Direction; she is Oblate Director and has involvements in Peace and Justice ministries.
