March 11, Thursday Lenten Weekday

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.-- Psalm 95:8

Mass readings: Jeremiah 7:23-28 / Luke 11:14-23

Am I Listening?

In Scripture study one evening, I asked participants to listen while one person in the group read this passage aloud. ''Trust in the Lord and do good'' (Ps 37:3). I closed my eyes and imagining myself as a child, being tucked into bed, hearing a grandmother's reassuring voice (and God's).

In today's Old Testament passage, this indictment comes to God's people through the voice of the prophet Jeremiah: 'They have not . . . paid heed . . . they will not listen . . . . This is the nation which does not listen to the voice of the Lord, its God, or take correction.'' And I must ask, ''Am I listening?'' Or, as today's Gospel reading suggests, ''Am I for or against Jesus?'' (Lk 11:23).

Prayer: O Lord, our God, may we listen and pay heed to Your voice!