Thursday of the Third Week of Lent
π Today's Readings
- First Reading: Jeremiah 7:23–28
- Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 95:1–2, 6–7, 8–9
- Gospel: Luke 11:14–23
π️ "If Today You Hear His Voice, Harden Not Your Hearts"
π Reflection
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
We are in the heart of Lent — a sacred season of turning back to God. Today, the Lord speaks to us with the tenderness of a Father who has been waiting a long, long time.
In the First Reading, the prophet Jeremiah delivers one of the saddest lines in all of Scripture. God says to His people: "I spoke to you, rising early and speaking, but you did not listen." Imagine a loving parent calling out to a child again and again — and the child simply walks away. That is the image God paints here. He sent prophet after prophet. He rose early, as the Scripture says — meaning He never stopped, never grew tired of reaching out. And yet, His people stiffened their necks and turned their backs.
This is not just ancient Israel's story. It is our story too.
How many times has God spoken to us — through a quiet moment in prayer, through a kind person who crossed our path, through a pain that drew us to our knees — and we simply carried on, distracted, proud, or afraid?
The Responsorial Psalm echoes this warning beautifully: "If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts." Notice that word — today. Not tomorrow. Not after Lent is over. God is speaking right now, in this very moment. The question is: are we listening?
In the Gospel, Jesus casts out a demon and gives a mute man his voice back. It is a beautiful miracle — a man who could not speak suddenly finds his words. But instead of rejoicing, some in the crowd accuse Jesus of working by the power of the devil. Others demand more signs and more proof. They see the miracle with their own eyes and still choose to doubt.
Why? Because a hardened heart refuses to be moved, even by the most obvious works of God.
Jesus responds with a simple but powerful truth: "A house divided against itself falls." Darkness cannot cast out darkness. Only light can do that. And Jesus is that light.
This Lent, let us be like the mute man in the Gospel. Let us allow Jesus to touch our silence, our stubbornness, our closed hearts — and give us our voice back. The voice to say "I'm sorry, Lord." The voice to say "I believe." The voice to say "Here I am."
π‘ One Simple Message for Today Stubbornness is the enemy of grace. If today you hear His voice — do not walk away. Say: "Here I am, Lord."
π A Prayer for Today
Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times I have heard Your voice and looked away. Soften my heart this Lenten season. Where I am stubborn, make me gentle. Where I am silent, give me courage to speak. Cast out whatever darkness holds me back from You. I choose You today. Amen.
πΏ Lenten Practice for Today
Take five quiet minutes today — away from your phone, away from noise — and simply say: "Lord, speak. I am listening." Then wait. Let Him find you.
May the Lord bless you and keep you close to His Sacred Heart this holy season. π️
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