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  • [How Not to Miss God’s Voice] Day 27 – Spiritual Indifference

    [How Not to Miss God’s Voice] Day 27 – Spiritual Indifference
    2026/03/19
    “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path.” (Matthew 13:19)Yesterday, we reflected on the “rocky ground” and noted that when we hear Jesus speaking, our natural response should be one of excitement and joy. But this raises a very serious question: what if I don’t feel excited? What if I hear the Word of God, yet feel no movement in my heart—no response at all? What should I do?If your response to God is one of coldness, numbness, or indifference, this may indicate that your heart has already become hardened. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus describes this as the first condition: “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path.” (Matthew 13:19)Imagine your heart as a path that has been repeatedly trampled upon. Over time, the soil becomes compacted and hardened, like concrete, unable to be penetrated. The seed of God’s Word can only remain on the surface and is quickly taken away by the devil. St. Thomas Aquinas notes that a heart becomes "gross" or hardened when it is constantly applied to gross and earthly things. When we allow the world to trample freely over the soil of our hearts, we too become indifferent.Beyond the everyday distractions we mentioned earlier in our retreat, today let us reflect on three hidden causes of this indifference and hardness of heart.First, unconfessed sin. When we knowingly persist in actions or attitudes that are wrong, we naturally distance ourselves from God to avoid the guilt within us. Aquinas reminds us that, in order to avoid facing the truth, we deliberately “close our eyes.” We see a clear example of this willful hardness of heart in the story of Pharaoh in the Book of Exodus: even after witnessing God’s miracles firsthand, once the disaster ceased, Pharaoh “sinned yet again, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.” (Exodus 9:34) Unconfessed sin forms a thick shell over our souls, making us numb to God’s voice.Second, neglect of spiritual habits. Just as relationships grow distant without communication, if we neglect the sacraments, daily prayer, and fellowship within the faith community, our desire for God will gradually grow cold. Even the apostles fell into this! While in the boat, they were preoccupied with not having enough bread and forgot the miracle Jesus had just performed. Jesus rebuked them sharply: “Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?” (Mark 8:17–18) When we stop paying attention to the graces God gives us each day, our spiritual senses become dull.Third, inner disappointment. Sometimes, unanswered prayers or deep suffering can cause us to lose trust in God. To protect ourselves from further disappointment, we build a wall around our hearts and stop expecting God to speak to us. However, the Catechism of the Catholic Church warns us that such deliberate hardness of heart, if it leads us to refuse God's mercy entirely, will ultimately result in spiritual ruin (CCC 1864).So then, how can a heart as hard as concrete be healed?The Catechism teaches: “The human heart is heavy and hardened. God must give man a new heart. Conversion is first of all a work of the grace of God.” (CCC 1432) We cannot break this rock by our own strength. Aquinas reminds us that the word of Christ is “like a hammer which breaks the rock in pieces,” and like a fire that melts us through love. Therefore, we must allow our hardened hearts to be opened under the “hammer” of His Word.Today, let us stop defending our indifference. Let us ask the Lord to take up His hammer, to chisel open our hearts of stone, to forgive our hidden sins, and to loosen this path that has been trampled again and again—so that His Word may finally take deep root in the soil of our hearts.Let us, with softened hearts, listen once more to the words of Jesus:“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path.” (Matthew 13:19)ReflectionWhen I hear the Word of God, do I feel joyful and moved, or have I become numb and indifferent? What might be causing this condition in me?Is there any unconfessed sin or hidden compromise in my life that leads me to avoid God’s presence and keeps me from drawing near to Him?Am I like the disciples in the boat—neglecting daily spiritual habits and forgetting the miracles God has worked in my life?Today’s PrayerMerciful Father, today I come before You and acknowledge the hardness of my heart. So often, worldly anxieties, my hidden sins, and lingering disappointments have trampled my soul into a path that cannot be penetrated.Lord, I repent of my coldness and numbness toward Your voice. I cannot break this stone on my...
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    12 分
  • [How Not to Miss God’s Voice] Day 26 – Let the Word Take Root and Grow Deep

    [How Not to Miss God’s Voice] Day 26 – Let the Word Take Root and Grow Deep
    2026/03/18
    “As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away.” (Matthew 13:20–21)Yesterday, we spoke about the “thorns” of worry. In addition to worry, the lure of riches and the attractions of the world are another kind of loud noise that can obscure and choke the Word of God. Jesus reminds us: “No one can serve two masters.” (Matthew 6:24) If we try to listen both to the world and to God, yet only choose what suits our own preferences, we will not be able to truly hear God—for His truth is not always pleasing to the ear. In the end, we must make a choice.Today, however, we consider another question: when we do listen, and even like what we hear, why does that initial inspiration not last? Jesus clearly describes this situation in the Parable of the Sower: “As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away.” (Matthew 13:20–21)St. Thomas Aquinas explains that this “rocky ground” refers to a hardened heart into which the Word cannot penetrate deeply. A person may rejoice in God’s goodness and experience emotional highs, yet does not allow the Word to become the “primary root” of life. This is the shallow heart. Such a person readily receives the Word with outward enthusiasm, but lacks deep soil—that is, a consistent and committed daily life of discipleship. As a result, the faith remains purely emotional. Because there is no real and lasting relationship with God, when difficulties arise, faith quickly collapses.The challenge we face, then, is this: how can we make that initial joy endure? How do we break through the “rock” in our hearts so that roots may grow deeper?The answer is that we must take action. When we hear the Word of God and feel joy, that joy must move us to seek a deeper, more intimate relationship with Jesus. Let us learn from a few examples in the Gospel.Recall the Samaritans in the Gospel of John, chapter 4. At first, they believed in Jesus because of the joyful testimony of the Samaritan woman at the well. But they did not remain at the level of emotional response. “When the Samaritans came to him, they invited him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days.” (John 4:40) St. Augustine points out that they first came to know Christ through the testimony of another, but it was only when Jesus stayed with them—through His actual presence—that their faith became firm and deeply rooted.The same spiritual hunger appears in the disciples on the road to Emmaus. As Jesus explained the Scriptures to them, their hearts were burning with joy. But when Jesus walked ahead, as if to keep going, they took action: “They urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us…’” (Luke 24:29). They longed to hear more of His teaching and to experience His presence more deeply.Likewise, when John the Baptist directed Andrew and John to follow Jesus, they asked Him a simple yet profound question: “Teacher, where are you staying?” (John 1:38) Jesus replied, “Come, and you will see.” (John 1:39)In stark contrast stands the response of the Gerasenes. After Jesus drove the demons into the herd of pigs, they were filled with fear and “begged him to leave their region” (Matthew 8:28–34). They pushed God away.Where do we stand today? Honestly, modern life is extremely busy. We leave almost no space or time for God. We may hear an inspiring homily at Sunday Mass and feel a spark of joy, but by Monday morning, we leave Jesus at the church door. We do not invite Him into our homes, our work, or our struggles.If we want to continue hearing God’s voice and remain steadfast in times of trial, we must intentionally make space for Him. We cannot remain at the level of merely “hearing” a message—we must actively invite Jesus to dwell with us. We must say to Him: Lord, stay with me!Let us once again invite Jesus to remain with us and let His Word illuminate our lives:“As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away.” (Matthew 13:20–21)ReflectionIs my faith overly dependent on emotional highs, like the “rocky ground” in the Parable of the Sower, where the word is “received with joy” immediately? What happens to my prayer life when that emotion fades?When I face difficulties or trials, do I tend to draw closer to God and His Word, or do I give up listening to Him? When I must choose between the values ...
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    13 分
  • [How Not to Miss God’s Voice] Day 25 – The Noise of Worry

    [How Not to Miss God’s Voice] Day 25 – The Noise of Worry
    2026/03/17
    “The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit.” (Matthew 13:22)Over the past few days, we have spent considerable time reflecting on the problem of “pride” as a thick wall that blocks us from hearing God’s voice. Today, we turn our attention to another major obstacle. It is not a wall, but a loud and persistent inner noise. That obstacle is “worry”.If pride shuts God out, worry is a distracting static that prevents us from tuning in to God’s frequency. Jesus clearly illustrates this in the Parable of the Sower. He describes the Word of God as a seed, and some seeds fall among thorns. Jesus explains: “The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit.” (Matthew 13:22)Notice the word “choke.” When we are consumed by anxiety, both physically and spiritually we experience a suffocating pressure. Our minds are racing with hypothetical disasters, worries about our livelihood, and endless “what-ifs.” In such a suffocating mental environment, God’s gentle voice simply cannot enter into our hearts; it is blocked by our worldly anxieties.Christ deeply understands the weakness of our human nature. That is why, in the Sermon on the Mount, He speaks directly about this problem. He invites us to observe creation: “Look at the birds of the air… Consider the lilies of the field.” (Matthew 6:26, 28) If God feeds the birds and clothes the fragile grass of the field, then surely He will care for us even more: “Will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:30) Christ invites us to place a childlike trust in the loving providence of our Heavenly Father.Our worries often arise from a lack of trust. As Pope St. John Paul II once taught beautifully: “Our age is to a great extent marked by anguish and apprehension, anxieties and fears... Trust is opposed to that which troubles you.” Likewise, Pope Leo XIV invites us at all times to place everything before the Lord, entrusting ourselves entirely to His Providence.When we worry, we are essentially trying to control a future that does not yet exist. We project our minds into tomorrow and attempt to solve tomorrow’s problems with today’s limited strength. But Jesus gives us the perfect mental framework in the Lord’s Prayer: “Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11) He does not teach us to pray for a year’s supply of bread. Instead, He teaches us to ask for what we need “today”.Therefore Jesus tells us: “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6:34) The Catechism of the Catholic Church echoes this truth, teaching that abandonment to the providence of the Father in heaven frees us from anxiety about tomorrow (CCC 2547).If your mind is completely occupied with worries about the future, you leave absolutely no room at all to listen to what God is saying to you “today”. God dwells in the “present moment”. His grace is given in the “here and now”. If we remain trapped in hypothetical fears about tomorrow, we will completely miss the words God is speaking to us today.So what is the remedy for this inner noise? Jesus tells us: “But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33) And St. Paul gives us a clear instruction: “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)Today, let us cast all our burdens upon the Lord, trusting that He will sustain us. Let us pull up the thorns of anxiety from our hearts, so that the soil of our souls may become fertile ground—ready to listen, receive, and bear abundant fruit.Let us reflect again on the teaching of Jesus:“The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit.” (Matthew 13:22)ReflectionWhat specific “cares of the world” in my life act like thorns, choking and suffocating the Word of God?How does my worry about hypothetical future situations prevent me from being fully present with God and with others right now?Jesus calls us to “strive first for the kingdom of God.” What concrete steps can I take today to shift my focus from anxiety toward God’s Kingdom?Today’s PrayerHeavenly Father, I confess that my heart is often filled with the noise of worry and anxiety. Like thorns, my fears about tomorrow choke Your gentle voice today. Forgive my lack of faith and my failure to trust fully in Your loving providence.Help me remember the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, and to believe deeply how precious I am in Your sight. Teach me to ask only for my daily bread, trusting ...
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    12 分
  • [How Not to Miss God’s Voice] Day 24 – Radical Humility

    [How Not to Miss God’s Voice] Day 24 – Radical Humility
    2026/03/16
    “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave……” (Philippians 2:5-7)Yesterday, we explored several practical ways to cultivate the habit of listening and to dismantle the walls built by our self-centeredness. Today, we need to go even deeper into our hearts.If we honestly examine ourselves, we will discover that pride not only blocks our ears from listening, but also poisons our eyes. It distorts the way we see the people and situations around us. Two of the most toxic symptoms of pride are “envy” and “being judgmental”. Envy makes us perceive another person’s success or blessings as a threat to our own worth. Judging others, on the other hand, becomes a method of pride—by lowering others in our minds, we make ourselves feel superior.Imagine for a moment the state of your soul when you are gripped by envy or busy judging someone. Your mind is crowded with comparisons, complaints, and defensive thoughts. The internal noise is absolutely deafening. In such a state, how could you possibly hear the gentle and quiet voice of God? You simply cannot. As the Scripture reminds us, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5) If we wish to tune our hearts to receive God’s voice, we must first remove the noisy interference caused by our inflated ego.To do this, Paul the Apostle tells us: “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,” for Christ even “emptied himself” for our sake. But the question remains: how can we empty ourselves of the deeply rooted tendencies of envy and judging others?Within the Catholic spiritual tradition, there is a profound, and even shocking prayer called the “Litany of Humility”. For our souls, it is like undergoing a radical spiritual surgery. Let us walk through the three movements of this prayer together.The first movement addresses our “desires”. In the prayer we say: “From the desire of being esteemed, loved, honored, praised, and preferred to others... Deliver me, Jesus.”These petitions target the very root of our envy. When we insist on being the center of attention or the “best” person in the room, another person’s success naturally feels threatening. But when we ask Jesus to deliver us from these desires, we step off the exhausting treadmill of constant comparison.The second movement addresses our “fears”. We pray: “From the fear of being humiliated, despised, forgotten, ridiculed, and wronged... Deliver me, Jesus.”Why are we so quick to judge others? Often it is because we are afraid that our own weaknesses will be exposed. By judging others, we try to deflect attention from our own insecurities. If we no longer fear appearing imperfect, we will no longer feel the need to judge those around us.The third and final movement is the most radical, even overturning our usual way of thinking—but it is also the ultimate cure for pride. We do not simply ask the Lord to remove our wrong desires; we actively pray for the success of others. We pray: That others may be loved more than I; That others may be chosen and I set aside; That others may be preferred to me in everything... Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.Take a deep breath and let those words sink into your heart. “That others may be chosen and I set aside.” Can you pray that for others—even for someone you dislike?When we are able to pray the “Litany of Humility” sincerely, something miraculous happens within us. The frantic urge to defend ourselves, promote ourselves, and judge others begins to fade. The deafening noise of our inflated ego falls completely silent.And in that beautiful, empty, humble stillness, our ears are finally opened. At last we are ready to listen. We are ready to hear the voice of the God who emptied Himself and became man for our sake.Let us reflect once again on what Paul the Apostle said to us:“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave……” (Philippians 2:5-7)ReflectionWhen I see someone succeed or receive praise, what is my immediate internal reaction? Do I feel joy, or a sharp sting of envy?Who is the person I judge or criticize most often in my mind? Could my judgment of them actually be a mask for my own pride or insecurity?Can I honestly pray, “That others may be chosen and I set aside”? What would need to change in me for me to genuinely desire this grace?Today’s PrayerO Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear my prayer.My soul is often overwhelmed by my own pride, envy, and the constant urge to judge others. I confess that I cling tightly to the desire for praise and try to avoid the fear of being forgotten.Lord, today I ask You to perform a radical spiritual ...
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    13 分
  • [How Not to Miss God’s Voice] Day 23 – The Discipline of Listening

    [How Not to Miss God’s Voice] Day 23 – The Discipline of Listening
    2026/03/15
    You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. (James 1:19)Over the past few days, we have spent considerable time reflecting on the theme of “pride”. This extended focus is not without reason. At its core, pride is essentially a “refusal to listen” to anything outside of oneself. It builds thick walls within our hearts, shutting out the voices of others, and most tragically, the voice of God. It is no wonder that prideful people often refuse to listen; in their hearts, they simply do not perceive any need to do so.As Pope Leo XIV teaches us, “The willingness to listen is the first way we demonstrate our desire to enter into relationship with someone.” If pride is a spiritual illness that isolates us, then its antidote is “humility”. Humility is a spiritual discipline that keeps us attentive and sensitive both to the world around us and to God.By now, we hope you are convinced that if we truly wish to hear God’s voice, we must come down from the mountain of our pride. But the most difficult question remains: How do we do it?To be honest, recognizing the problem is not difficult; truly changing is much harder. Ultimately, this has to do with how we relate to God and how we relate to others. James the Apostle gives us a clear instruction: “Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.” (James 1:19) Proverbs also reminds us: “If one gives answer before hearing, it is folly and shame.” (Proverbs 18:13)If we want to descend from that mountain, we must begin by cultivating “the ability to listen” in our daily lives. By intentionally forming new habits, we can gradually unlearn the unhealthy habits shaped by our self-centeredness. Let us consider two practical dimensions: listening to others, and listening to God.First, we can try the following three concrete exercises to practice listening to others.First exercise: During conversations this week, after someone finishes speaking, intentionally wait three to five seconds before responding. Very often our pride leads us into what might be called “rebuttal listening”—while the other person is still speaking, we are already busy preparing what we think is a clever response. A brief silence can break this self-centered habit.Second exercise: After the other person has finished speaking, try briefly restating what they said to confirm your understanding. This simple practice forces our minds to focus on the other person’s true meaning rather than rushing to judge or express our own opinions.Third exercise: When we feel an urge to “correct” someone or to “win” an argument, try responding gently: “Could you tell me more about that? I’d like to understand better.” This phrase reminds our ego that we are not in “expert mode,” but rather in “discovery mode.”These practices help us gradually lower our defensive walls and make space for the perspectives of others.As we learn to listen to others, we are also preparing our hearts to listen to God. Here are three spiritual exercises for the soul.First spiritual exercise: Each morning, spend five to ten minutes sitting quietly before God. As Psalms 46:10 says: “Be still, and know that I am God.” You may also borrow the words of the young Samuel: “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10) Do not rush to ask for anything. Simply place yourself quietly in God’s presence.Second spiritual exercise: Deliberately perform a good deed for someone—perhaps helping with a chore or giving a small gift—but make sure the person never knows it was you. This discipline trains our hearts to seek only God’s hidden approval, rather than depending on human applause.Third spiritual exercise: For one week, notice whenever you find yourself “polishing” a story in order to appear more intelligent, more successful, or more knowledgeable than you really are. Record these moments in a journal for reflection. Bring these subtle forms of pride before God, confess them to Him, and ask Him to uproot your desire for self-exaltation.Do not underestimate these exercises. They are not merely psychological techniques; they are profound spiritual disciplines. They open up a quiet space within our hearts where God’s voice can finally be heard above the noisy clamor of our inflated self-importance.May we gradually turn these intentional practices into lifelong habits. In this way, our ears and hearts will remain attuned to the gentle and subtle voice of our Lord.Let us now reflect once more on today’s Scripture:You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. (James 1:19)ReflectionWhen listening to others, do I often fall into the trap of “rebuttal listening,” beginning to formulate my response while the other person is still speaking?How difficult is it for me to maintain three to five seconds of silence before responding in a conversation? Why...
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    13 分
  • [How Not to Miss God’s Voice] Day 22 – The Servant-Son

    [How Not to Miss God’s Voice] Day 22 – The Servant-Son
    2026/03/13
    “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)Yesterday we reflected on the need to come down from the mountain of our pride, to walk into the valley of humility, and to place ourselves in the lowest position in relation to God.Yet as you ponder this idea in your heart, a very natural question may arise: “Do I really need to go that low? Can’t I remain somewhere in the middle? Why must I place myself so low, as if I were far from God? Aren’t we supposed to be close to Him? Aren’t we His beloved children?” It may sound like a contradiction. How could we make sense of it all?To find the answer, we must turn our eyes to Jesus. He perfectly unites supreme greatness with the deepest humility. On one occasion, Jesus completely overturned His disciples’ worldly understanding of power and greatness. He taught them: “Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Gospel of Mark 10:43–45)Let us look more closely at Jesus’ life as our model. Before He began His public ministry—before He preached a single sermon or performed a single miracle, Jesus stood in the waters of the Jordan River. At His baptism, the Father’s voice came from heaven: "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." (Gospel of Mark 1:11)Pause and meditate on this for a moment. Everything Jesus did in His service and ministry flowed from the deep security of His identity as the Son of God. He did not serve in order to become a Son or to earn that identity. He served because He already was the Son.While maintaining the dignity of His divine sonship, Jesus freely chose to take on the “form of a servant” in order to accomplish God’s plan of redemption. In doing so, He perfectly fulfilled the prophecy of the “Suffering Servant” foretold in the Book of Isaiah, where God declares: "Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased.” (Isaiah 42:1)From Jesus we learn a profound spiritual truth: total obedience to God is not the loss of one’s identity; it is the fullest expression of it. As a “Servant-Son”, Jesus reveals that we submit to God not because we are fearful slaves forced to obey, but because we are beloved children who deeply love the Father and are loved by Him. Jesus uniquely united two roles: the Son—His identity—and the Servant—His mission. In doing so, He demonstrates that complete surrender and humility are actually the highest expression of being a child of God.When we truly understand our relationship with God, we see that being a child of God and being a servant are not opposites. They are two sides of the same relationship. Your identity as God’s child is the unshakable foundation of your life, while your servanthood is the beautiful expression of that love. This realization brings tremendous freedom. Complete obedience and servanthood become the natural fruit of a healthy relationship between a child and the Father. When you know that you are God’s beloved child, you no longer need to be driven by pride. You no longer need to prove your worth through your service or religious practices, nor do you need to seek approval from others. Your dignity and value have already been affirmed by the Father.However, as we strive to imitate this relationship of Servant and Child, we must humbly acknowledge a fundamental difference between Jesus and ourselves. Jesus is the eternal, only-begotten Son of God. We, on the other hand, are simply creatures. As Pope Francis has reminded us, the word “humility” comes from the Latin word “humus”, meaning “earth”. Though we are wonderful creatures, we are limited. We were made from dust, and to dust we shall return.We become children of the Father only through adoption, made possible entirely through Jesus Christ and His perfect obedience to the Father on the Cross. Therefore, we should never feel entitled. We have no grounds for pride, because our identity rests completely upon God’s unmerited grace.So today, let us humble ourselves once more. Let us listen again to the profound teaching of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which reminds us that humility is the very foundation of our communication with God, because “man is a beggar before God” (CCC 2559). Unless we embrace this truth from the depths of our hearts, we will remain too high, too proud, and too self-sufficient ever to hear the gentle voice of God in our lives.Today, let us come down from the mountain and step into the true freedom of being both servant and child.Let us once again ponder the words that the Lord Jesus spoke to His disciples:“For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)ReflectionHow does Jesus’ example of ...
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    13 分
  • [How Not to Miss God’s Voice] Day 21 – Walking Down the Mountain of Pride

    [How Not to Miss God’s Voice] Day 21 – Walking Down the Mountain of Pride
    2026/03/12
    “For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)Over the past few days, we have been emphasizing the vital importance of placing ourselves at the absolute lowest point in order to receive God’s voice and His wisdom. Yet, as we often discover in our spiritual journey, this is much easier said than done. It is incredibly easy to accept this concept in our minds, but it is deeply uncomfortable and profoundly hard to put it into practice in our daily lives.Pause for a moment and ask yourself: Why is it so hard?It is difficult because, deep down in our minds, we don’t truly believe we are that lowly! We don't feel we deserve to be placed at the bottom! In fact, human nature dictates that we desire to be respected. We want others' attention and recognition, and we have an insatiable thirst to be validated and valued. As Pope Francis reminded us, the proud person is one who thinks he is much more than he really is, always wanting his own merits recognized. That underlying desire makes it excruciatingly hard to empty ourselves to a point below our own perception of who we are.This struggle is especially hard for people who have been doing all the right things—those who perform the correct external religious practices and have built up a strong “religious resume.” When we do good deeds, serve in the parish, or pray daily, a subtle pride can creep in. We begin to believe that we do not need to obtain help from others in our moral and spiritual lives, not even from God! We believe we can handle life using our own strength, all by ourselves. Jesus dealt with many proud people who hid their pride very well behind religious observance.But remember the spiritual law Jesus revealed to us, which we touched upon on Day 17: “The one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” (Luke 7:47)This brings us to a harsh but liberating truth. Unless we really admit from the bottom of our hearts that we are weak, broken, and absolutely nothing without God; unless we realize that it is only by His grace that we are not hopeless sinners; unless we acknowledge that we are totally dependent on Him and can accomplish nothing without Him—that we cannot even survive one moment without His sustaining breath—we will never be able to let go of our status and our position. After all, if Jesus didn’t come to redeem us, we would be condemned. We need God that much! Humility is the absolute foundation of our prayer; only when we realize we are beggars before God can we freely receive His grace.At the end of the day, how deeply you know and feel your need for Him determines how willing you are to step down to the lowest point. This willingness is the master key to unlocking the treasure of God’s Wisdom. Jesus gave us a clear warning and promise: “For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)Unless we are willing to walk down from the mountain of our pride, we will never be able to truly and totally know, experience, and embrace God. Why? Because as long as we remain on that mountain, everything we do, say, or act will subconsciously shut Him out. We will have no real relationship with God, let alone an intimate one. God will have no place in our lives except for the moments we desperately need help. We risk turning the Almighty Creator into an "on-demand" service provider—someone we expect to show up only when we ring the bell.Take a deep breath. Are you holding onto your spiritual resume today? Are you secretly craving the applause of others? Jesus is inviting you to walk down the mountain. Step into the valley of humility. It is only there, in the quiet lowlands of total dependence, that you will meet Jesus face to face.Now, with a humble spirit, please meditate once again on the following exhortation of Jesus:“For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)ReflectionHow deeply do I truly feel my daily, desperate need for God's forgiveness and presence?Do I secretly crave the attention and validation of others more than I desire to please God? In what specific ways have I treated God as an "on-demand" service provider rather than a loving Father?Where in my life am I relying on my "spiritual resume" instead of God's grace? What specific "mountain of pride" is Jesus inviting me to walk down from today?Today’s PrayerLord Jesus, I confess that it is incredibly hard for me to empty myself. I often cling to my pride, my desire for validation from others, and my self-righteous "spiritual resume."Forgive me for the times I have treated You merely as an "on-demand" service provider, rather than the Lord of my entire life.Grant me the grace to deeply realize my own weakness and brokenness. Without You, I am nothing; without Your redemption, I am without hope.Please take my hand and lead me down from the mountain of my pride. Help me ...
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    12 分
  • [How Not to Miss God’s Voice] Day 20 – Pride Closes the Door to Wisdom

    [How Not to Miss God’s Voice] Day 20 – Pride Closes the Door to Wisdom
    2026/03/11
    “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)Over the past few days, we have reflected together on repentance, a contrite heart, humility, and facing pride. Today, we go deeper into the attitude of pride. Pride not only hurts our relationships with others—it can completely block the voice of God. It convinces us that our thoughts are better than His. Consider the words of St. John the Baptist: “He must increase, and I must decrease”. (John 3:30) To truly live these words, we must uproot pride completely. Pride is called the “root of all sin” because it is often the starting point of everything that goes wrong in the human heart.Pride is the desire to be number one—above God and above others. It whispers within us: “I know best. I don’t need help. My plan is perfect.” We pursue success and attempt to control our lives through our own plans, schedules, and opinions, saying, “This is my way, and it is the best way.” Yet deep within, this is a form of rebellion—much like the devil who once desired to place himself on the same level as God. Today this pride may appear in many ways: when we ignore the advice of family members, when we skip prayer because we are “too busy,” or when we dismiss the teachings of the Church because they do not align with our personal views. Pride makes us deaf to God’s call in the ordinary events of daily life.Now listen again to God’s clear response in the Book of Isaiah: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)Imagine yourself standing on the ground and looking up at the endless sky. God’s wisdom is that high above ours. Our thoughts are limited, like small paths winding across the earth—twisting and easily leading us astray. But God’s ways are vast, guiding us toward true life and peace. Pride resists this truth. It tries to climb higher by its own strength, yet ultimately it leads only to loneliness and dryness of heart.Do you remember the two images from Day 18? They fit perfectly here.First, become a beggar before God. Not proudly demanding, but humbly asking for what we cannot give ourselves: grace, wisdom, and forgiveness.Second, be like a humble earth. Valleys receive the most rain because they are low; mountains shed the rain away. If we remain on the “high ground” of pride, the Word of God—like life-giving rain—simply runs off. But when we lower ourselves, God’s Word can penetrate deeply into the soil of our hearts and bring forth new life. Let us ask ourselves: Where am I standing too high? At work? In my relationships with family? Or in my own plans?St. Francis of Assisi lived this truth in a simple yet powerful way. He renounced everything—home, wealth, and comfort—and lived by begging for food, trusting entirely in God alone. In the rule he wrote for his brothers, Francis warned them to beware of pride and self-concern, to remain humble in hardship, and to love those who hurt them. Francis was able to hear God’s voice clearly because he willingly made himself small—serving the poor and praising God through all creation. His life proclaims a powerful message: when we stop relying only on ourselves, we begin to hear God.Pride within us says, “I can handle everything my own way.” Yet God’s ways are higher—filled with surprises that heal and set us free. Let us honestly admit it: our own thoughts often lead to stress and mistakes, while God’s ways lead to joy.Now imagine yourself kneeling before God like a beggar, your heart open. Feel yourself like soft soil waiting for rain.Today, what in your life needs to “decrease”? Surrender it to God.Let us once again ponder the Word of God:“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)ReflectionWhere do I insist on my own will rather than God’s will, thereby blocking His voice?How does pride make me so self-reliant that I forget I am merely a beggar before God?In what areas of my life do I play god, deciding good and evil on my own?Today’s PrayerLord Jesus, my merciful Savior, forgive my arrogance. I have dared to place my proud yet fleeting thoughts above Your eternal wisdom. I confess my rebellion in insisting that my will is best, while ignoring Your higher ways.Uproot this sinful root within my heart. Teach me to kneel before You like a beggar, pleading for Your grace; like humble earth in the valley, thirsting for the rain of Your Word.Just as St. Francis of Assisi embraced poverty in order to hear You more clearly, ...
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    13 分