When he was at table with them, he took the bread. He blessed the bread, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him!(Luke 24:13-35)

Monday, March 22, 2010

The best way to listen

Perhaps some of the darkest words spoken in the gospels are spoken in the readings for Tuesday. "You will die in your sins." What fate could possibly be worse? Because they refused to open their eyes, they could not see who Jesus was no matter how evident it was.

Jesus told them, "I do nothing on my own." Nothing. Everything from Jesus is a sign of love from the Father. Everything. Jesus says nothing of His own, reveals nothing of His own, holds forth on nothing of His own. Every action, every word, every breath is charged with God.

And so too with us, if we allow it to be. Proper worship of Jesus Christ is imitation of Him in everything. When we can cease to be the steersman of our own ships and pilot everything the way God goes, we are truly loving and worshipping Christ.

We have the advantage of centuries of proof and revelation through the Church and the Saints. If we listen we won’t face the fate described for the Pharisees. And the best way to listen is to imitate the One who speaks to us. Become Christ and let everything you do be done with God the Father as your source of strength, Jesus as your friend, guide, and companion, and the Holy Spirit as the voice within that assures you of the presence of a loving triune God.

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