Daily Reflection – 4/27/2023
Sacred Scripture
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets: ‘They shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” ( John 6:44-51)
Reflection
There is an invitation waiting for us. It’s one that is not to be missed. But it is one that we often do.
It’s the invitation to know God . . . to know God.
Can any one of us really overlook that statement?
It is written that God, the Father, will draw us to God’s Self!
God always comes to us first, long before we even think of coming to God. God has been with us always, perhaps even before we were in the womb. And it is God who continually searches for us and finds us when we have wandered off. God is constantly reaching out, constantly speaking and constantly drawing us to Himself. It’s an ongoing process. He calls us continually.
But how well do we hear that call?
It begins with interior silence.
We do not need to be in the desert to achieve interior silence. Rather, it’s achieved by faithful periods of prayer each day, and a formed habit of turning to God in all things. It can be formal prayer or a simple conversation, as if God were sitting opposite you (because He is). It’s achieved when we respond to God’s calling, and then do it again, and again, and so forth. This builds a habit of being drawn, hearing, responding and being drawn in even closer to respond again.
The theme of quiet listening is ever present but our insistence on speaking gets in the way of our listening.
Our impatience prevents the realization of true prayer.
The headlines and the broadcasts fill our ears and minds and wind up leaving our hearts dry.
Sometimes our perceived need to be always doing – even doing for our Church – gets in the way. We get so busy; we don’t give ourselves the chance to listen . . . to listen to those gentle promptings of grace inviting us to turn more completely to Him and to surrender more fully each and every day.
Try beginning your day by offering yourself to God. Thank Him for His gifts, acknowledge that His way is the path that you follow, and then simply let Him know that you stand ready to be used by Him on this day.
It truly is simple.
Prayer is the path that sets us on this wonderful adventure of coming to know God. It must be a constant companion on our journey, with all the pitfalls and difficulties we come across. But it must start with listening for Him. If we do, we will hear His call as He directs our thoughts.
Jesus instructed us to always pray. If we do, we shall be invited to speak truth, to continue walking even when the road is difficult, and to give our lives completely in the service of this God who loves so much that He gave us His Son so that we may live eternally with Him.
Prayer of The Day
“Lord, please draw me in, draw me close and help me to recognize Your voice. As I hear You calling, help me to respond to You with much generosity. My life is Yours, dear Lord. Help me to desire You all the more. Jesus, I trust in You.”
Daily Note
Reflect, today, upon how well you listen to God. Try to find at least a few minutes (or more) of silence today. Close your eyes and listen. Listen to God speaking to you. When He draws you, respond to Him with much generosity. This is the best choice you can make each day!
