Homily - Food for thought

Thursday of the Third Week of Lent – 12 March 2026

Readings:
Book of Jeremiah 7:23–28
Book of Psalms 95:1–2, 6–9
Book of Joel 2:12–13
Gospel of Luke 11:14–23

1. Introduction

My dear friend, today God speaks about listening.

Many people believe that the biggest problem in the world is poverty, politics, or corruption. But in today's readings, God points to a deeper problem:

People stop listening to God.

Through the prophet Jeremiah, God says something painful:

“Listen to my voice… but they did not listen.”

Imagine loving someone deeply, speaking to them, guiding them, calling them—and they simply refuse to listen.

Today’s message is simple but powerful:

Faith begins with listening.

2. Life Story

A teacher once asked a boy in class:

“Why do you always sit in the last row?”

The boy replied, “Because I want to see who is sleeping.”

The teacher said, “But you are the one always sleeping!”

The boy smiled and said, “Yes, but at least I am honest about it.”

Sometimes our spiritual life is like that.
God speaks through Scripture, prayer, conscience, and people around us—but spiritually we are sitting in the last row, half asleep.

Lent is God's way of saying:

“Wake up. I am speaking to you.”

3. The Word

In the Book of Jeremiah, God reminds the people of Israel of a simple command:

“Listen to my voice, and I will be your God.”

Notice something important.
God did not begin with complicated rules.

He began with relationship.

The tragedy is that the people refused to listen. Instead, they followed their own stubborn hearts.

Then the Psalm echoes the same message:

“If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”

The problem is rarely that God is silent.
The problem is that hearts become hard.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus drives out a demon. Instead of celebrating the miracle, some accuse Him of using the power of evil.

Jesus responds with deep wisdom:

“A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.”

Then He makes a strong statement:

“Whoever is not with me is against me.”

Jesus reminds us that faith is not neutral.

We either open our hearts to God
or we slowly close them.

4. Three Practical Lessons for Today

1. Listening to God requires silence

God rarely shouts.
He speaks in the quiet moments—during prayer, reflection, Scripture, or even suffering.

Make time today for five minutes of silence with God.

2. A hardened heart is more dangerous than ignorance

Many people know what is right but refuse to change.

Lent invites us to soften the heart.

Forgiveness, humility, and repentance soften the soul.

3. Faith is choosing Christ daily

Jesus says: “Whoever is not with me is against me.”

Faith is not just believing in God once.

It is choosing Christ today, tomorrow, and again every day.

5. Inspirational Quote

“God is always speaking;
the real question is whether our hearts are listening.”

6. Conclusion

My friend, today God is not asking you for something complicated.

He is asking for something simple:

Listen.

Listen to His Word.
Listen to the quiet voice in your conscience.
Listen before life becomes noisy again.

Because when we truly listen to God,
our direction becomes clearer,
our hearts become softer,
and our lives become stronger.

7. Prayer

Let us pray.

Lord our God,
you speak to us with patience and love.

Remove the hardness from our hearts
so that we may listen to your voice.

Teach us to follow your ways,
to trust your guidance,
and to walk faithfully with you every day.

Bless the person reading or listening to this reflection today.
Fill them with wisdom, peace, and courage.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen. 🙏