Thursday of the Third Week of Lent March 18, 2004 Scripture: Jeremiah 7:23-28; Luke 11:14-23 Reflection: “Listen to my voice…” - John 10:27 In this harried, fast-paced, 24-plus hour a day world, we never seem to have enough time, space, energy to do what we know needs to be done! We are frequently racing the race, searching for the lost coin, competing against the odds…urged on by our own Beelzebub. Unsuspectingly we have admitted a foreign, unwelcome god into our lives. One who has imposed heavy burdens that wear us down and divert our attention from our one, true God. Jeremiah reminds us today what Yahweh’s simple command is: “Listen to my voice.” Listen… God does speak. God is with us. Do we try to listen? Do we take the time? It takes time. It takes patience. It may take awhile, even a lifetime. But it is worth every second and every numerous, seemingly fruitless attempt. To sit, to listen, to struggle, to try again and again to hear and then…to know God is present! How can we not want to take the time so as to hear our God speak to us? To know that we are loved and that our lives will be complete if we but listen to the voice of our God. Suggested Action: Start today - again - to listen to God speak to you. Sit quietly and wait. God will speak! Sr. Helene Hicks, IHM Palm Coast, Florida