Discipleship: How to Listen
Granted that what is asked of us in my last posting, is easier said than done. However, the Lord has always identified individuals, not because of their spirituality, but because of their current lot in life. Sometimes it was sinners who wished to repent, sometimes it was in response to an unspoken plea for assistance, e.g., Simon Peter and Mathew, and sometimes it was because the lord gave that person a special gift which is now needed to help society. All that is needed is an honest request for assistance to resolve a special crisis in whatever form that crisis appears. Do not be afraid that you are unworthy. The Lord will send the Holy Spirit to you to determine if you are worthy and because you asked, unconsciously or consciously, if something is lacking, God, because of His love for you, will help you correct those things that need to be addressed so you can empty yourself to our Lord through the Holy Spirit and receive the grace, mercy and love from our Lord that will help you discern the good in the people you meet and interact with each day.
Once you reach this stage of your development you ,as disciples, will experience receipt of God’s love, mercy and grace which will provide you with the assurance that you are worthy and enable you to recognize the need to share God’s freely given gifts with everyone you interact with on a daily basis.
You may ask what authority enables me to state the above. In response, I will refer the reader to last week’s second reading from St Paul to the Romans 8:9, 11-13 which begins; ‘You are not in the flesh; on the contrary, you are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you….’
Be reassured that our lord Jesus Christ will intercede for you in this task with the Father, based on the request outlined in this past week’s Gospel from Mathew 11: 25-30, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
If you are in the spirit then yes, the yoke is easy, and the burden is light.
God Bless you.