After the earthquake, there was fire — but the Lord was not in the fire; after the fire, there was a tiny whispering sound. – 1 Kings 19:12

       Hubert was going through a difficult time. He was in desperate need for a job. One Sunday afternoon, he tuned in to a radio program that announced job opportunities. He had planned to take notes but fell asleep soon after. He woke up listening to a Catholic radio program where I serve as a co-anchor.

       Our program airs testimonies of people who met God and now have a relationship with Him. Hubert began to listen to our program every Sunday afternoon. Then He came to one of our prayer meetings and has since been a regular attendee. Things in his life started to fall into place after he started a relationship with Jesus.

       Hubert’s story reminds us that God does not always come in big, grand ways. Elijah didn’t find God in the fearsome fire and earthquake but in a “tiny whispering.” Hubert did not meet God in a big worship concert or through a powerful preacher. He accidentally listened to a radio program as he was searching for a solution to his personal problems. Finding God became the starting point in solving his problems. Alvin Fabella (alvinfabella@yahoo.com)

Reflection: Do you have a personal relationship with God? Search for Him in the simple things and realize how big His love for you is.

Lord, make me sensitive to the nuances of Your movement in my life.

How is God present to us? We think we can find Him in spectacular events, but more often than not, He is present in the little things and moments of our lives. Let us be attentive to God’s presence in ordinary day-to-day events. They are numerous and, thus, we will see Him more often.

9 At the mountain of God, Horeb, Elijah came to a cave, where he took shelter. But the word of the Lord came to him, 11 “Go outside and stand on the mountain before the Lord; the Lord will be passing by.” A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the Lord — but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake — but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake there was fire — but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. 13 When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him, “Elijah, why are you here?” 14 He replied, “I have been most zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. But the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to the sword. I alone am left, and they seek to take my life.” 15 The Lord said to him, “Go, take the road back to the desert near Damascus. When you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king of Aram. 16 Then you shall anoint Jehu, son of Nimshi, as king of Israel, and Elisha, son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah, as prophet to succeed you.”

P S A L M

Psalm 27:7-8, 8-9, 13-14

R: I long to see your face, O Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, the sound of my call; have pity on me, and answer me. 8 Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks. (R) Your presence, O Lord, I seek. 9 Hide not your face from me; do not in anger repel your servant. You are my helper: cast me not off. (R) 13 I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord. (R)

Jesus now shifts the focus to our thoughts and motivations. All acts are preceded by the decision to perform them and the arguments that go with it. We need to guard our minds and protect our thoughts from the temptations of sin. If we allow our minds to wander, then we will find ourselves on shaky moral ground. The world will indulge our sinful passions quite freely and a holy person wants none of that.

Shine like lights in the world, as you hold on to the word of life.

27 Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. 28 But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 9 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna. 31 It was also said, Whoever divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorce. 32 But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a  divorced woman commits adultery.”

think: Let us be attentive to God’s presence in ordinary day-to-day events.

Thank You Lord for: __________________

EMBRACING GOD’S CHALLENGES

Now comes a discussion on the burning hot issues of adultery and divorce. Perhaps we are tempted to turn our heads away, close our eyes, and just take refuge in the scenario of the First Reading, away from the turbulence of violent winds and strong earthquakes. Perhaps we’d rather escape the fire and look for God in the tranquil silence of the whispering wind.

       But just as the Lord commanded the terribly discouraged Elijah, we too have to go back, take the desert road to Damascus, and anoint those whom God has chosen. Yes, it’s no other than God who makes the choices, and commands us to follow His counsels. We may also exercise our free will and make our own choices (hopefully the correct ones), but definitely we cannot reduce our faith to a pick-and-eat, mix-and-match smorgasbord of delights.

    We may be stunned and stupefied by God’s challenges, most especially in the areas of marriage and family life, of purity and morality, as given to us through the teachings of the Catholic Church. But in our silent, humble, and faith-filled acceptance of His holy will, God will surely whisper to us His consolations and rewards. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

REFLECTION QUESTION: When you feel challenged to follow the teachings of the Church, what helps you to face them?

Dearest Lord, help me to become Your faithful follower. Amen.