Hearing God's Word

They answered him, ‘We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, “You will be made free”?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there for ever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you look for an opportunity to kill me, because there is no place in you for my word. I declare what I have seen in the Father’s presence; as for you, you should do what you have heard from the Father.’ They answered him, ‘Abraham is our father.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing what Abraham did, but now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are indeed doing what your father does.’ They said to him, ‘We are not illegitimate children; we have one father, God himself.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot accept my word. You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is from God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God.’ John 8:33-47

Some people hear voices and talk to God and we deem them as crazy. Some are, of course. And some folks are really committed to listening to God's word, the voice of God speaking to their hearts. The best of prayer is not us speaking but instead, opening our hearts to God. God's word always contains love, no matter what people might say. God says to us we are beloved, and as beloved we need to care for and love others. Anything that ignites us to prejudice, violence, discrimination, and personal gain does not come from the wart of God. Too often we justify ourselves with status, money, respect and the like. God doesn't see any of that. Love cares only for the heart, the place where needed kindness, forgiveness and love flows freely.

Living Creator, you speak to all generations

teaching us to love and care for our neighbors

showing us how to love enemies as friends

and helping us use our hearts to respond to all.

We get caught up in gaining stature and fame

we love the limelight and hate obscurity

we forget that fame will not teach us to love

and all the noise will cancel out God's voice.

Give us ears to hear and open, ready hearts

remake us every day into your beloved family

give us eyes to see the needs in our neighbors

and ready hands to give all that we have today. Amen.