Hearing the Voice of God

By Ainish Philip

One fine morning, when St. Francis of Assisi went out to pray in the fields, he walked beside the church of San Damiano, which was almost in ruins because of its extreme age. Guided by the Holy Spirit, he went inside the church. He knelt before the crucifix and prayed with tear filled eyes to the Lord. As he gazed at the Cross of our Lord, he heard a voice from the crucifix, telling him three times, “ Francis, go and repair my house!” Hearing the divine voice, Francis prayed incessantly over the revelation by the Lord, and worked towards building the Kingdom of God “for the love of Christ.”

We often hear of visions, dreams, apparitions, and revelations in which God spoke to the saints. A classic example is how Mother Mary revealed herself as "the Immaculate Conception” to young Bernadette at Lourdes. Again we read in the life of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque that, while she was engaged in prayer, Jesus often spoke to her of the devotion to His Sacred Heart.

Most of us think that God’s voice will be accompanied by pomp and fanfare. In fact when I was a child, after my night prayers, I would often pretend to sleep whilst checking in the dark if an angel or Jesus himself would appear in my room. But nothing like that ever happened in my life! Overtime I realized that the Holy Spirit might not speak to us the way we perceive, but He speaks to us in the most simple and ordinary situations of life. So how can the Holy Spirit of God guide our lives? How can we be sure that we are being led by the voice of the Holy Spirit and not some other voice?

Welcome the Holy Spirit: Addressing the youth at the World Youth Day in 2008, Pope Benedict stated, “The Holy Spirit has been in some ways the neglected person of the Blessed Trinity,” and confessed that it was only as a young priest teaching theology that he began not only to recognize the importance of the Holy Spirit in his priestly life, but also know him intimately. He emphasized, “It is not enough to know the Spirit; we must welcome Him as the guide of our souls, because He alone can open us up to faith and allow us to live it each day to the full.”

Dependence: Have you ever sat in front of your favorite ice cream or some other thing you like and felt you couldn't help but take a bite? My stomach may be full but the mouth is keen on tasting the ice cream. I am sure after eating the ice cream I will regret eating it, but I still do it.

It is the same in our spiritual life. The Holy Spirit will tell us what is best for us but we tend to do what the flesh tells us. If we depend on the Holy Spirit completely, we will be led by the Spirit and will know the will of God for us.

Submit to the ministry of Eli: If we consider the example of Samuel from 1 Samuel 3:4-11, the young boy is not aware of the voice of God until his mentor Eli makes him realize that God is talking to him. In obedience and submission, Samuel says, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” Same way, we can always go to a priest, a religious, or a spiritual elder or our parents to discern God’s will in our life.

Word of God: God speaks to His people through the Word of God. If we immerse ourselves in the Word we will hear His voice clearly. Mother Mary herself meditated and treasured the Word of God in her heart (Luke2:19). Just like the sunflower points itself towards the sun, same way when we direct our lives to the Word of God, we will witness a massive transformation in our lives through His guidance. St Ignatius of Loyola was touched when he heard the Word of God from his sickbed “For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?” (Mathew 16:26).

In Silence: In this world where we are flooded by words, music, sounds, and noise around us, silence can make us uncomfortable. But in reality, we can enjoy God’s presence and adhere to the words of the psalmist: “Be still and know that I am God”(Psalm 46:10). Silence can help us to contemplate and listen to what God wants to tell us. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines contemplation: “St. Teresa answers: "Contemplative prayer in my opinion is nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us” (CCC, #2709).

Fellowship: At Holy Mass, we hear the words from  2 Corinthians 13:13. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” It is the will of our Heavenly Father that we come into a fellowship with the Holy Spirit. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, He changes our tastes to suit what pleases Him. When we delight ourselves in the Holy Spirit, He will speak to us clearly, order our steps, and cause us to do what brings him pleasure.

Prayer: O Holy Spirit help me to aware of your presence wherever I go. Teach me to discern your voice amidst the busyness of my life and help me to obey your commandments.In Jesus name we pray. Amen.