Five days ago, we celebrated the feast of Jesus' Transfiguration. The message of God the Father concerning the transfigured Christ is: "Listen to Him" (Mt 17:5). Today this message is repeated. Like Elijah, we must listen to God's whispers (1 Kgs 19:12). Like Jesus, we need to pray into the night and hear the voice of our Father (Mt 14:23).

It is a privilege to hear our Father. He wants to speak to us as His sons and daughters. Our Father, Who is not only loving but Who is Love (1 Jn 4:8, 16), wants to speak intimately and deeply to us. When we hear God, there's hope even when our marriages, work, families, health, or faith seem to be sinking and about to drown (see Mt 14:30). "Faith comes through hearing" God (Rm 10:17, our transl). In hearing God, there is strength and victory (Is 30:15, 21).

We can listen to God in many ways. I invite you to set aside at least five minutes each day to do nothing but sit "at the Lord's feet" and listen to His words (Lk 10:39). This will set the tone for a whole day and a life of listening to the Lord. "Listen to Him."

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, February 7, 2002

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 12, 2002