Get to know God

In our first reading, we hear that a prophet is promised — a prophet that will be raised up by God; a prophet with the words of God in his mouth; a prophet that with speak of GOD’S commands. And so God did this, time and again God did this. When the people listened to God’s prophets things went well and when they did not listen they “answered for it.”

Now there were people who pretended to speak in the name of God and probably sounded pretty good but, ultimately, they were presenting their own agenda or that of “other gods” (as the reading says). They, too, answered for their deeds. Actually, the reading we just heard says “he shall die.” (Sounds pretty serious)

Well, I think this all still happens today. God still sends prophets to speak the words that God commands AND there are still those who come professing to be of/from God but there words are not from God, even though the words sound similar.

Both prophets/messengers are here, but how do we know who to listen to?

The answer to that question is simple...

KNOW God. KNOW Jesus. Then you can listen.

In our Gospel today, in the synagogue there is a man with an unclean spirit that knows who Jesus is. The man cries out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? I know who you are — the holy one of God!”

The big question is... Do you know who He is?

It is a big question. What is your answer to the question?

Jesus of Nazareth

Son of God

Prince of Peace

Savior

Redeemer

All good answers

Friend

Companion

Love

Forgiver

Light

All good answers

Creator

Consoler

Giver of gifts/grace

Father, Son, Holy Spirit

Again all good answers

I don’t have YOUR answer. That is something that you need to develop for yourself so that when you need to answer the question YOU have the answer and will be able to listen to the right person/prophet.

How do you learn this answer?

How do you learn who God is?

How do you get to know anyone — learn about them (see below), converse with them (pray...don’t forget to just sit and listen and just be), spend time with them (see below).

Well, The Bible is a great place to start — the Gospels are a great place to start there (after all Jesus is the Primary Sacrament/God incarnate. You should be able to get a pretty good idea of who God is from God’s self)

Hang out and listen to people who you really trust — people who already knows or are well on their way. I mean, why listen to someone who doesn’t believe in God OR tends to think more of themselves. This is NOT who God is or what God does. (A hint that only makes sense to me: If it’s not of/about LOVE then it is not of/about/from God.)

Try listening or watching some reputable videos/podcasts (Fr Mike Schmitz, Bishop Robert Baron, FORMED website...)

Listen to some Christian music

COME TO MASS EVERY WEEK (another great staring place by the way) to hear the stories and to actually receive Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

How can you recognize the people sent from God? The words spoken from God?

It’s pretty simple... get to know God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

Fr. Chuck Wrobel