Let us spend more time listening to God's voice

 I am nearly 60 years old and I keep making the same mistakes. This is a true statement in my life whether I am talking about financial matters, relational matters, or spiritual matters. For this space I would like to talk about spiritual matters.
The last year has not been my best year of growing in intimacy with God. In some ways I have taken a step backwards. I find it difficult to get to daily Mass. This is pretty lame because I work only a block away from the Cathedral. I could make it to Mass rather easily, yet I often don’t.  I could make it to the evening Mass at Little Flower Parish any given day that I miss the midday Mass at the Cathedral. But, once I get home, I see so many things I need to fix, build or clean. Suddenly, all of my intentions go flying out the window. That really bothers me.
Almost worse than all of that is what happens when I overcome my laziness or distractions and spend time in prayer. Especially of late, I notice that I spend too much time talking to God and not nearly enough time listening. Most mornings I pray the “Office of Readings.” It is a collection of psalms, a reading from Scripture and a reading from a Church Father or famous saint. This is a great start, but I think I need to foster the ability to listen more (my wife will certainly be in favor of me listening more)!
My challenge over the next couple of weeks is to carve out space for me to hear the voice of God. I plan to start out small and try to expand. I am doing this because I know the Lord speaks to His people—I have listened to Him in the past. I am reminded of something St. Francis de Sales is credited with saying, “Every one of us needs half an hour of prayer a day, except when we are busy—then we need an hour.” 
Let us all seek to carve out some silent time to give the Lord a chance to speak to us and for us to hear Him.
— Pat Arensberg is the Director of the Office for Evangelization and Family Life. Email him at [email protected] For more information concerning the events of this office, visit us at mobilefaithformation.org