Today, If You Hear His Voice

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to tune out the most important voices in your life? The voice of God is often gentle but persistent, calling us deeper into relationship with Him. Yet, so often, like the Israelites of old, we harden our hearts, turning away from His invitations. Today’s readings challenge us to examine whether we are truly listening to God, or if we are allowing pride, distraction, or division to keep us from fully embracing His will.

From the prophetic warnings in The Book of Jeremiah to the psalmist’s urgent call in Psalm 95, and culminating in the powerful confrontation in The Gospel of Luke, the common thread is unmistakable: God speaks, but will His people respond? In Jeremiah, God laments Israel’s history of rebellion, reminding them—and us—of the consequences of a stiff neck and a hardened heart. The psalm echoes this sentiment with a direct plea: “Oh, that today you would hear his voice: do not harden your hearts as at Meribah”, pointing to a pivotal moment when Israel tested God in the desert. Then, in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is faced with skepticism and accusation, despite the clear sign of divine power at work in His exorcisms. The tension between openness and obstinance becomes a living question for every believer.

Historically, these texts reflect a people continually confronted with God’s faithfulness in the face of their own infidelity. Culturally, Israel was shaped by covenant relationship, yet their hearts often wavered. Religiously, this call to attentiveness remains as pressing for us today as it was for them. Are we truly hearing God’s voice in our daily lives, or do we, like the divided house Jesus speaks of, fall prey to inner conflict and spiritual deafness? What would it look like if you truly surrendered your will to God’s voice today?

First Reading – Jeremiah 7:23-28

The Danger of a Hardened Heart

The prophet Jeremiah speaks at a time when Judah is on the brink of collapse, spiritually and politically. The Book of Jeremiah is set in the late seventh and early sixth centuries B.C., during a tumultuous period marked by idolatry, injustice, and looming exile. Jeremiah, often called the “weeping prophet,” is tasked with delivering God’s warning to a people who have consistently rejected His covenant. This reading fits seamlessly into today’s theme of listening to God’s voice versus hardening one’s heart. The Israelites have fallen into the dangerous pattern of turning their backs on the Lord, and Jeremiah’s lament underscores how stubbornness leads to destruction. This passage invites us to confront how easily we too can become deaf to God’s loving commands.

Jeremiah 7:23-28
New American Bible (Revised Edition)

²³ This rather is what I commanded them: Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk exactly in the way I command you, so that you may prosper.
²⁴ But they did not listen to me, nor did they pay attention. They walked in the stubbornness of their evil hearts and turned their backs, not their faces, to me. ²⁵ From the day that your ancestors left the land of Egypt even to this day, I kept on sending all my servants the prophets to you. ²⁶ Yet they have not listened to me nor have they paid attention; they have stiffened their necks and done worse than their ancestors. ²⁷ When you speak all these words to them, they will not listen to you either. When you call to them, they will not answer you. ²⁸ Say to them: This is the nation which does not listen to the voice of the Lord, its God, or take correction. Faithfulness has disappeared; the word itself is banished from their speech.

Detailed Exegesis

Verse 23 – “This rather is what I commanded them: Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk exactly in the way I command you, so that you may prosper.”
Here, God reminds Israel of the core of the covenant relationship: obedience rooted in love. To “listen” is more than hearing—it’s to obey, to surrender in trust. The promise is clear: prosperity and belonging as God’s people. This echoes Deuteronomy 6:4, the Shema, where Israel is called to hear and love God with all their heart.

Verse 24 – “But they did not listen to me, nor did they pay attention. They walked in the stubbornness of their evil hearts and turned their backs, not their faces, to me.”
The tragedy unfolds. Israel’s refusal to listen is depicted vividly: turning their backs instead of their faces. This symbolizes a complete rejection of intimacy with God. Stubbornness, or “hardness of heart,” becomes the root of their downfall, much like Pharaoh in Exodus.

Verse 25 – “From the day that your ancestors left the land of Egypt even to this day, I kept on sending all my servants the prophets to you.”
God’s mercy is relentless. From the Exodus onward, He has sent prophets to guide and correct His people. This verse highlights divine patience and the historical continuity of prophetic ministry.

Verse 26 – “Yet they have not listened to me nor have they paid attention; they have stiffened their necks and done worse than their ancestors.”
The phrase “stiffened their necks” is a metaphor from farming, referring to oxen that resist the yoke. It paints a picture of resistance and rebellion. Worse yet, this generation surpasses the sins of their ancestors, deepening their estrangement from God.

Verse 27 – “When you speak all these words to them, they will not listen to you either. When you call to them, they will not answer you.”
Jeremiah is told to expect rejection. The prophetic voice will fall on deaf ears. This prefigures Christ Himself, who also faced rejection despite proclaiming the Kingdom of God.

Verse 28 – “Say to them: This is the nation which does not listen to the voice of the Lord, its God, or take correction. Faithfulness has disappeared; the word itself is banished from their speech.”
The final indictment is chilling. Faithfulness—covenant loyalty—is gone. Even the very concept of God’s Word has been erased from their language. This is spiritual desolation, a warning to every generation.

Teachings

The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us of the vital importance of listening to God: “To obey (from the Latin ob-audire, to ‘hear or listen to’) in faith is to submit freely to the word that has been heard, because its truth is guaranteed by God, who is Truth itself” (CCC 144). This passage from Jeremiah is a piercing example of what happens when people refuse this obedient hearing.

St. Augustine, reflecting on similar themes, writes: “God created us without us: but he did not will to save us without us” (Sermon 169). The Israelites’ refusal to cooperate with grace, to “turn their faces” to God, stands as a testimony to this spiritual truth. Our free will is meant to respond to God’s initiative, not reject it.

Historically, the disobedience Jeremiah describes leads directly to the Babylonian exile—a catastrophic event for Israel. This event, which devastated Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple, is seen in Catholic theology as a chastisement permitted by God to correct and purify His people. Yet, as Pope Benedict XVI reminds us, “God’s punishments are those of a Father, who loves and desires the conversion of His children” (Jesus of Nazareth). Jeremiah’s words must be read not only as judgment but as an invitation to repentance.

Reflection

This reading is a mirror for our modern hearts. How often do we turn our backs on God’s commands, preferring our own way? We may not worship golden calves, but we idolize comfort, success, or even our own opinions. Are there ways you have “stiffened your neck” to the Lord recently? Like Israel, we might ignore His voice in the quiet moments of prayer, in the teachings of the Church, or even in the cries of the poor and vulnerable.

Today, God is still sending prophets into our lives—whether through Scripture, homilies, or even a friend offering gentle correction. Are you truly listening? The call is urgent: faithfulness is not just a word; it’s a lived reality. This Lent, we are invited to “turn our faces” toward God and walk in the obedience that leads to life and peace. What small act of obedience can you offer God today to begin softening your heart?

Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9

The Invitation to Worship and Obedience

Psalm 95 is a royal psalm, often used in ancient Israel’s liturgical gatherings, especially in the Temple. It is traditionally known as the Invitatory Psalm, still recited at the beginning of the Liturgy of the Hours today. This psalm calls the people of God into worship and deep attentiveness to His voice. Historically, it was likely sung during a pilgrimage feast when Israel would process to the Temple in Jerusalem. Its dual tone of joyful praise and sober warning fits beautifully within today’s theme: God calls out to His people, but will they listen or harden their hearts? The psalm echoes the tension found in Jeremiah and anticipates Jesus’ call to spiritual attentiveness in The Gospel of Luke.

Psalm 95:1-2
New American Bible (Revised Edition)

A Call to Praise and Obedience

¹ Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord;
    cry out to the rock of our salvation.
² Let us come before him with a song of praise,
    joyfully sing out our psalms.

⁶ Enter, let us bow down in worship;
    let us kneel before the Lord who made us.
⁷ For he is our God,
    we are the people he shepherds,
    the sheep in his hands.

Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
⁸     Do not harden your hearts as at Meribah,
    as on the day of Massah in the desert.
⁹ There your ancestors tested me;
    they tried me though they had seen my works.

Detailed Exegesis

Verse 1 – “Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord; cry out to the rock of our salvation.”
The psalm opens with an invitation to joyful worship. God is acknowledged as the “rock,” a symbol of strength, protection, and faithfulness. In salvation history, God is often called the Rock, pointing to His unchanging nature (Deuteronomy 32:4). Here, praise is not just an act of duty but a celebration of God’s enduring covenant love.

Verse 2 – “Let us come before him with a song of praise, joyfully sing out our psalms.”
The emphasis on joyful worship continues. Worship is communal and vibrant; it brings the people “before Him,” into His presence. In ancient Israel, music and psalms were integral to temple worship, creating a sacred space where heaven and earth meet.

Verse 6 – “Enter, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the Lord who made us.”
A shift occurs here from exuberant praise to humble reverence. Bowing and kneeling symbolize submission and acknowledgment of God as Creator. This gesture reflects total surrender and prepares the heart to listen. Romans 14:11 recalls this when St. Paul says, “every knee shall bow before God”.

Verse 7 – “For he is our God, we are the people he shepherds, the sheep in his hands.”
This verse emphasizes intimacy and care. God is not distant but acts as the Shepherd, an image Jesus later fulfills as the Good Shepherd in The Gospel of John 10:11. The mention of being “in his hands” conveys security and divine providence.

Verse 8 – “Oh, that today you would hear his voice: Do not harden your hearts as at Meribah, as on the day of Massah in the desert.”
This verse is the heart of the psalm and today’s theme. Meribah and Massah refer to events in Exodus 17, when Israel, despite witnessing God’s miracles, quarreled and tested Him for water. Their hearts were hardened by distrust. The psalmist warns against repeating this sin of obstinacy.

Verse 9 – “There your ancestors tested me; they tried me though they had seen my works.”
The psalmist reminds us that Israel’s ancestors doubted even after witnessing God’s mighty deeds—plagues, the Red Sea crossing, manna. The warning is stark: past disobedience brought suffering. The message is clear for every generation.

Teachings

The Catechism teaches that Christian prayer is rooted in listening to God: “Prayer is both a gift of grace and a determined response on our part. It always presupposes effort. The great figures of prayer of the Old Covenant before Christ, as well as the Mother of God, the saints, and he himself, all teach us this: prayer is a battle” (CCC 2725). Psalm 95 models this battle—joyful praise must be paired with an open heart ready to receive correction.

St. Benedict of Nursia, in the opening of his Rule, echoes Psalm 95 when he writes: “Listen carefully, my son, to the master’s instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart.” This deeply Benedictine image invites us to move from superficial hearing to spiritual attentiveness. The psalm is not simply a call to worship with our lips but to listen with our hearts, where transformation begins.

Historically, Meribah and Massah became lasting symbols of rebellion. The early Church Fathers, such as St. Cyprian of Carthage, saw this hardness of heart as a spiritual ailment: “The Lord warns us and teaches us what we ought to do if we desire to avoid the hardness of heart that leads to destruction” (Treatise on the Lord’s Prayer). In every age, including ours, Psalm 95 stands as a liturgical and prophetic voice urging us to break the cycle of spiritual resistance.

Reflection

In our fast-paced lives, how often do we rush through prayers or the Mass without truly listening for God’s voice? Are you approaching God today with joyful praise and a receptive heart, or is there an area where your heart feels hardened like at Meribah? The psalm reminds us that authentic worship leads to inner conversion.

This Lent, the invitation is clear: bow before God—not just physically but interiorly. Surrender your worries, distractions, and resistance. Let your heart be fertile soil for His Word. What practical step can you take this week to listen more attentively to God—perhaps in Eucharistic Adoration, Lectio Divina, or even a quiet walk in nature? The Shepherd is calling. Will you hear His voice today?

Holy Gospel – Luke 11:14-23

The Finger of God and the Divided Heart

The Gospel of Luke is a rich narrative that emphasizes Jesus as the merciful Savior who comes to heal and liberate. In this passage, Jesus is engaged in spiritual warfare, confronting the forces of evil through His divine authority. The setting is deeply rooted in the cultural and religious context of first-century Judaism, where exorcisms were seen as signs of God’s intervention. However, Jesus’ actions stir controversy among the onlookers. Some accuse Him of collaborating with Beelzebul, the prince of demons, a serious charge rooted in fear and misunderstanding. This Gospel fits perfectly with today’s theme: the danger of a hardened heart and the urgent need to recognize God’s voice and power. Just as Israel in Jeremiah resisted the prophets and the people in Psalm 95 hardened their hearts, here, the crowd fails to see the Kingdom of God breaking into their midst.

Luke 11:14-23
New American Bible (Revised Edition)

¹⁴ He was driving out a demon [that was] mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute person spoke and the crowds were amazed. ¹⁵ Some of them said, “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” ¹⁶ Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. ¹⁷ But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. ¹⁸ And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. ¹⁹ If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. ²⁰ But if it is by the finger of God that [I] drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. ²¹ When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. ²² But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. ²³ Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

Detailed Exegesis

Verse 14 – “He was driving out a demon [that was] mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute person spoke and the crowds were amazed.”
Jesus performs a miracle of deliverance, restoring speech to the mute man. The “mute” here not only refers to physical silence but symbolizes spiritual oppression and voicelessness. In Scripture, liberation from demons often restores one’s ability to praise God, reflecting the mission of Christ as foretold in Isaiah 61:1.

Verse 15 – “Some of them said, ‘By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.’”
Rather than acknowledging God at work, some accuse Jesus of sorcery. Beelzebul (meaning “lord of the flies” or “lord of the dwelling”) was associated with a pagan god, later connected to Satan. This slander reveals a hardened heart, blind to divine grace.

Verse 16 – “Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven.”
Despite witnessing a miracle, they demand another sign. Testing God echoes the rebellion at Meribah, where Israel tested God despite clear evidence of His presence. This reveals skepticism and unwillingness to surrender.

Verse 17 – “But he knew their thoughts and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house.’”
Jesus exposes the illogic of their accusation. A divided kingdom is doomed. This points to the danger of spiritual division—both within a community and within one’s heart.

Verse 18 – “And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons.”
Jesus dismantles their argument further. Satan would not undermine his own domain. This also teaches us that evil thrives on confusion and division, while God’s Kingdom brings unity and peace.

Verse 19 – “If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges.”
Exorcisms were practiced by some Jewish leaders. Jesus challenges their double standard: if they accept exorcisms from others, why reject His? Their inconsistency highlights their resistance to acknowledging His divine authority.

Verse 20 – “But if it is by the finger of God that [I] drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
This is the climax. The “finger of God” recalls Exodus 8:19, where Pharaoh’s magicians recognize God’s power during the plagues. Jesus reveals that His works are signs that the Kingdom of God is here and now.

Verse 21 – “When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe.”
The “strong man” symbolizes Satan, who holds people captive. His armor represents worldly powers and lies that keep souls enslaved.

Verse 22 – “But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils.”
Jesus is the “stronger one,” the Messianic warrior prophesied in Isaiah 49:24-25. He breaks Satan’s grip and liberates humanity, redistributing blessings and freedom.

Verse 23 – “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”
This final warning is uncompromising. There is no neutrality in the spiritual battle; to reject Jesus is to remain in division and darkness. To gather with Him is to partake in His mission of salvation.

Teachings

The Catechism teaches: “Jesus performed exorcisms to free men from the domination of demons. By his power over demons, Jesus inaugurates the Kingdom of God and shows that he has come to overcome the strong man” (CCC 550). The driving out of demons is both a historical act and an eschatological sign—the inbreaking of God’s reign, defeating sin and death.

St. Cyril of Alexandria reflects on this Gospel with sharp clarity: “The devil is strong, but Christ is stronger. The devil enslaves, but Christ liberates. The devil scatters, but Christ gathers into unity” (Commentary on Luke). This passage is not just about an exorcism, but about the decisive battle between God’s Kingdom and the dominion of darkness.

Historically, this Gospel reminds us of the constant spiritual warfare in the early Church. The Fathers, such as St. Irenaeus, saw in Jesus’ miracles the definitive proof of His divine Sonship: “The coming of the Word into the flesh to destroy death and bring life demonstrates that He is the Finger of God, active in all creation” (Against Heresies III.20.2). For Catholics, this Gospel echoes throughout the liturgy, especially during the rite of exorcism and prayers of deliverance.

Reflection

In today’s world, division often reigns—in families, communities, and even within our own hearts. Where in your life might you be experiencing spiritual division or resistance to Christ’s reign? This Gospel invites us to recognize Jesus as the “stronger one” who alone can unite what is scattered.

Jesus calls us to decisiveness. There is no middle ground in discipleship. Are you fully “with Him,” gathering and building His Kingdom, or is there an area where you hesitate to trust His power? Lent is the perfect time to surrender these strongholds to the Lord. Invite Christ to drive out anything that mutes your soul from proclaiming His goodness. How can you open your heart more fully to the finger of God working in your life today?

The Choice to Listen

Today’s readings offer us a unified and urgent message: God is speaking—are we listening? From the lament of Jeremiah, where God grieves over a people who have turned their backs on Him, to the psalmist’s plea in Psalm 95 to soften our hearts, to Jesus’ confrontation with those who refuse to see the hand of God in His miracles, the theme resounds clearly. Hardened hearts lead to division, rebellion, and spiritual deafness. Yet, the invitation remains open: “Oh, that today you would hear his voice”.

In a world where noise and distractions are constant, God’s voice can seem distant. But the truth is, as The Catechism reminds us, “God calls man first. Man may forget his Creator or hide far from his face… yet the living and true God tirelessly calls each person to that mysterious encounter known as prayer” (CCC 2567). The Kingdom of God has come upon us through Christ. He stands as the “stronger one,” ready to free us from all that enslaves, uniting what is broken and gathering us into the fold of the Good Shepherd.

How will you respond today? Will you, like the Israelites at Meribah, harden your heart? Or will you turn your face to the Lord, listening attentively and walking in obedience? The call is clear: listen, surrender, and follow. What step will you take to let the voice of God guide your day, your decisions, and your relationships? Open your heart—today—and let Him lead you to true freedom and peace.

Engage with Us!

We would love to hear how God is speaking to your heart today. Share your reflections, prayers, and insights in the comments below so we can grow together as a community of faith. Your thoughts may inspire someone else on their journey!

Reflection Questions:

First Reading (Jeremiah 7:23-28):
Where in your life have you been resisting God’s voice? How might you turn your face back toward Him this week?

Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9):
What does it mean for you personally to “hear His voice today”? Is there a specific area where you feel called to soften your heart?

Holy Gospel (Luke 11:14-23):
Are there areas of spiritual division or doubt in your life where you need Jesus, the “stronger one,” to restore unity and peace?

As you move forward today, remember to live out your faith boldly and lovingly. Be attentive to God’s voice in both the quiet and the noise of life. Let everything you do be marked by the mercy and compassion of Christ, who calls us to gather with Him and to build His Kingdom here and now.

---

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and reflections on living a faith-filled life.