a final hearing
"Morning after morning He opens my ear that I may hear." —Isaiah 50:4
Today is the last full day of Lent. May it be the best.
Today the Lord will speak to us a word that will rouse us (Is 50:4). He will open our ears and speak both what we have waited to hear for years and what we have refused to hear for years.
Today thousands will totally give their lives to Jesus. Many will repent of sins to which they have given in for years. Some will accept God's call to be priests, nuns, brothers, deacons, or single for the Lord. Others will obey God's call to marry and have a large family. Some will leave their jobs; others will persevere under difficult circumstances. Some will sell what they have, give to the poor, and follow Jesus (Mk 10:21).
Jesus may tell us today more than we've ever wanted to hear. We will be tempted to rebel and turn a deaf ear to the Lord (Is 50:5), but we can have "ears open to obedience" (Ps 40:7). Some Judas Iscariots are reading this page. Today they can repent and love Jesus forever, or refuse to open their ears and go to hell.
Holy Week is a week of opportunity for those who listen, or a week of tragedy for those who do not. "Let everyone who has ears attend to what he has heard" (Lk 8:8). "Let him who has ears heed the Spirit's word" (Rv 2:7).
Prayer: Father, may I hear this week what I have never let myself hear before.
Promise: "The Lord God is my Help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame." —Is 50:7
Praise: Praise Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth, and Lord over every detail of our lives.
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 3, 2008
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