Farmer of Hearts - How Not to Miss God’s Voice

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)Over the past few days, we have reflected together on repentance, a contrite heart, humility, and facing pride. Today, we go deeper into the attitude of pride. Pride not only hurts our relationships with others—it can completely block the voice of God. It convinces us that our thoughts are better than His. Consider the words of St. John the Baptist: “He must increase, and I must decrease”. (John 3:30) To truly live these words, we must uproot pride completely. Pride is called the “root of all sin” because it is often the starting point of everything that goes wrong in the human heart.Pride is the desire to be number one—above God and above others. It whispers within us: “I know best. I don’t need help. My plan is perfect.” We pursue success and attempt to control our lives through our own plans, schedules, and opinions, saying, “This is my way, and it is the best way.” Yet deep within, this is a form of rebellion—much like the devil who once desired to place himself on the same level as God. Today this pride may appear in many ways: when we ignore the advice of family members, when we skip prayer because we are “too busy,” or when we dismiss the teachings of the Church because they do not align with our personal views. Pride makes us deaf to God’s call in the ordinary events of daily life.Now listen again to God’s clear response in the Book of Isaiah: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)Imagine yourself standing on the ground and looking up at the endless sky. God’s wisdom is that high above ours. Our thoughts are limited, like small paths winding across the earth—twisting and easily leading us astray. But God’s ways are vast, guiding us toward true life and peace. Pride resists this truth. It tries to climb higher by its own strength, yet ultimately it leads only to loneliness and dryness of heart.Do you remember the two images from Day 18? They fit perfectly here.First, become a beggar before God. Not proudly demanding, but humbly asking for what we cannot give ourselves: grace, wisdom, and forgiveness.Second, be like a humble earth. Valleys receive the most rain because they are low; mountains shed the rain away. If we remain on the “high ground” of pride, the Word of God—like life-giving rain—simply runs off. But when we lower ourselves, God’s Word can penetrate deeply into the soil of our hearts and bring forth new life. Let us ask ourselves: Where am I standing too high? At work? In my relationships with family? Or in my own plans?St. Francis of Assisi lived this truth in a simple yet powerful way. He renounced everything—home, wealth, and comfort—and lived by begging for food, trusting entirely in God alone. In the rule he wrote for his brothers, Francis warned them to beware of pride and self-concern, to remain humble in hardship, and to love those who hurt them. Francis was able to hear God’s voice clearly because he willingly made himself small—serving the poor and praising God through all creation. His life proclaims a powerful message: when we stop relying only on ourselves, we begin to hear God.Pride within us says, “I can handle everything my own way.” Yet God’s ways are higher—filled with surprises that heal and set us free. Let us honestly admit it: our own thoughts often lead to stress and mistakes, while God’s ways lead to joy.Now imagine yourself kneeling before God like a beggar, your heart open. Feel yourself like soft soil waiting for rain.Today, what in your life needs to “decrease”? Surrender it to God.Let us once again ponder the Word of God:“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)ReflectionWhere do I insist on my own will rather than God’s will, thereby blocking His voice?How does pride make me so self-reliant that I forget I am merely a beggar before God?In what areas of my life do I play god, deciding good and evil on my own?Today’s PrayerLord Jesus, my merciful Savior, forgive my arrogance. I have dared to place my proud yet fleeting thoughts above Your eternal wisdom. I confess my rebellion in insisting that my will is best, while ignoring Your higher ways.Uproot this sinful root within my heart. Teach me to kneel before You like a beggar, pleading for Your grace; like humble earth in the valley, thirsting for the rain of Your Word.Just as St. Francis of Assisi embraced poverty in order to hear You more clearly, strip away my self-sufficiency. May You increase, and may I decrease. Renew my heart so that I may once again hear what You desire to say to me.--------------------------------------------------The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: How Not to Miss God’s Voice?” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.Writer: Paul YeungProject Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa TseEditors: Bonny Chan, Rosa TseEnglish and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul YeungCantonese Narrator: Margaret WooEnglish Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AIMandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AIAudio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret WooYouTube Editor: Cyan CheungGraphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseWebsite: Patricia YoungPodcast: Angela WongSocial Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseTheme Music:"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria ★ Support this podcast ★

“We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13)Yesterday, we encountered the joyful obedience of John the Baptist: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30) Through humility, we learned to shift our focus from ourselves to God, creating an interior space for the voice of the Lord. But how can we maintain this space? How can we allow the voice of Christ to truly echo within our hearts? Today, let us apply this joyful self-decreasing to the practice of listening.“Humility” not only creates space for God directly; it also paves the way for Him to speak to us through others.The Apostle Paul gives thanks that the Thessalonians were able to discern in his preaching the word of God. They did not treat Paul’s message as merely human opinion, but gladly received it as a word that came from God. Because of this, the word of God was able to take root and bear fruit in their hearts. This reflects the same spirit we see in John the Baptist: a willingness to shift the focus away from ourselves and toward God, and also toward what God may be saying to us through others. When we lower ourselves, God can make others channels of His grace for us.God often chooses to speak to us through the people around us. Yet how many times have we, out of pride, refused to listen to the voices of our parents, spouses, children, colleagues, or even strangers—and in doing so missed the promptings of the Holy Spirit? Envy and pride can make us spiritually deaf. Envy often springs from pride; it causes us to see others as rivals rather than as messengers of God. We must resist this attitude with goodwill and humility. If we are not humble enough to listen to the people whom God places along our life’s journey, we will inevitably miss the voice that God is speaking through them.Today, let us put into practice the spirit of John the Baptist: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” How can we step back so that the light of Christ may shine? First, practice silence in conversation. When someone speaks to you today, do not begin forming your rebuttal in your mind before they have finished speaking. Instead, simply stand and listen attentively. Second, embrace small or unexpected humiliations. St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that accepting moderate humiliation is a powerful remedy that heals our pride and restrains the excessive swelling of our souls. Today, when you are misunderstood or overlooked, resist the urge to defend yourself immediately. Let it go, and offer this small “decrease” to God.Let us once again reflect on the insight that these words of the Apostle Paul reveal to us:“We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13)ReflectionIn conversations, do I stand and listen like St. John the Baptist, or do I compete for attention?How does pride cause me to see others as opponents, causing me to miss the voice of God that is spoken through them?What attitudes—such as envy or defensiveness—prevent me from seeing the people around me as messengers of God?Today’s PrayerLord Jesus, thank You for reminding me through today’s reflection that You often speak to me through the people around me. Yet because of my self-centeredness and pride, I have missed the words You wished to say to me.Teach me to imitate the humility of St. John the Baptist. Remove my pride, and help me to hear Your voice through others.Today I am willing to practice silence in conversation, to notice Your presence in others, and to listen to what You are saying to me through them.Speak, Lord; Your servant is listening.--------------------------------------------------The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: How Not to Miss God’s Voice?” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.Writer: Paul YeungProject Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa TseEditors: Bonny Chan, Rosa TseEnglish and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul YeungCantonese Narrator: Margaret WooEnglish Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AIMandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AIAudio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret WooYouTube Editor: Cyan CheungGraphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseWebsite: Patricia YoungPodcast: Angela WongSocial Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseTheme Music:"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria ★ Support this podcast ★

“The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:29-30)Yesterday, we reflected on the importance of a contrite and broken heart for hearing the voice of God. We saw how true repentance acts like a hammer that shatters the hardened walls of our pride, allowing God to enter. But once those walls collapse, what comes next? When our hearts finally open up and we let go of ourselves, how should we cultivate this newly cleared space so that the voice of God may truly resound within it? If we want to attune our spiritual ears to God’s “channel,” we must adopt a most fundamental attitude: humility.To understand this posture of humility, let us look at the example of St. John the Baptist. Imagine the scene described in the Gospel of John: at that time, John the Baptist’s influence was at its height. Crowds were flocking to the wilderness to hear him preach. Yet when Jesus began His public ministry, John did not cling to his own “stage” or popularity. Instead, he displayed remarkable humility. He called himself “the friend of the bridegroom.” He even declared: “He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:29-30)Notice John’s posture: he stands and listens. His greatest joy was not to be the centre of attention or the loudest voice in the crowd; his greatest joy was to hear the voice of the bridegroom. In order to preserve this immense joy, John reveals to us the ultimate secret for aligning ourselves with the frequency of God’s voice: I must decrease. Only when I continually make myself smaller can the bridegroom’s voice grow louder within me.But what does it mean spiritually to “decrease”? In the spiritual tradition, decreasing means becoming like the earth. Just as the earth lies beneath the heavens in order to receive the rain, the listener must place himself in the lowest position, humbling himself so that he may receive God’s teaching. The Book of Sirach exhorts us: “The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself; so you will find favor in the sight of the Lord.” (Sirach 3:18) St. Bonaventure profoundly notes that humility is the gateway to wisdom, because it "teaches the nothingness of man and the greatness of God."When we turn our gaze away from self-centeredness toward the greatness of God, we create a vast space within our souls—and God immediately rushes in to fill that space! The Scriptures promise that God opens the door in a special way to those who adopt a lowly posture and personally teaches them. The Magnificat of the Blessed Virgin Mary echoes this truth: “He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly.” (Luke 1:52) The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that humility is the very foundation of our communication with God, because "man is a beggar before God." (CCC 2559). If we refuse to become beggars, we will never hear the voice of the King.Humility is not self-hatred; it simply means thinking of ourselves less. It is a daily choice—a decision to embrace dependence on God rather than on the endless noise, ambition, and self-sufficiency of this world.God is always speaking, but His voice is broadcast only on the frequency of humility. If our minds are filled with the echoes of our own ego, the Word will have no space to take root. Let us strive to imitate the lowly earth—humbly receptive, quiet and peaceful, always ready to bear fruit. Let us find true joy in becoming “the friend of the bridegroom,” and quietly repeat in our hearts: Lord Jesus, You must increase, and I must decrease.Let us once again meditate on the humble declaration of John the Baptist:“The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:29-30)ReflectionIn which areas of my life do I still insist that I must increase, rather than allowing Christ to take centre stage?Do I sincerely see myself as “a beggar before God”, or do I treat prayer as a transaction in which I dictate the terms?As I seek to live as “the friend of the bridegroom,” am I willing not to be the main character, but simply to stand aside and rejoice in hearing God’s voice through the people around me?Today’s PrayerLord Jesus, forgive me, for my pride and ambition often drown out Your gentle voice. Grant me a heart like that of John the Baptist—joyful and obedient. Strip away my desire to be noticed. Teach me the profound meaning of “decreasing,” so that my heart may become like the lowly earth—quiet and peaceful, humbly receptive, and longing for the living water of Your Holy Spirit.Grant me a humble heart, that I may hear Your voice speaking through the people around me.Lord Jesus, You must increase, and I must decrease.--------------------------------------------------The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: How Not to Miss God’s Voice?” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.Writer: Paul YeungProject Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa TseEditors: Bonny Chan, Rosa TseEnglish and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul YeungCantonese Narrator: Margaret WooEnglish Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AIMandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AIAudio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret WooYouTube Editor: Cyan CheungGraphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseWebsite: Patricia YoungPodcast: Angela WongSocial Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseTheme Music:"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria ★ Support this podcast ★

“The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)Yesterday, we came to understand that a repentant heart can remove the obstacles between us and God. Today, we want to explore more deeply the nature of this heart. The Psalmist tells us that God does not merely desire external sacrifices; what He truly longs for is a “broken and contrite heart.”Jesus not only commands us to repent; He is also deeply drawn to those who possess such a broken heart, and He actively praises them. To understand why this is the key to hearing God’s voice, we must look at two powerful encounters in the Gospel of Luke: the Pharisee and the tax collector, and the sinful woman in the house of Simon the Pharisee.“But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’” (Luke 18:13)“Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” (Luke 7:47)St. Thomas Aquinas explains that the word “contrite” literally means “to be crushed into pieces.” A contrite heart is one in which pride has been completely shattered by a deep awareness of one’s sinfulness and a desperate longing for God.Consider the Pharisee in the temple. He performed all the right external religious practices—fasting twice a week and giving a tenth of his income. Yet his heart had become completely hardened. He was self-righteous, contemptuous of others, and convinced that he had no need for forgiveness. His mind was filled with praise for himself, even praying, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people.” As a result, he was completely deaf to God’s voice.The tax collector, however, stood far off, beating his breast, crushed by the weight of his own unworthiness. He relied entirely on God’s mercy rather than on his own strength or religious “resume”. Jesus tells us that this man went home “justified.” God will never despise a heart that has shed its pride and stands vulnerable before Him.St. Augustine reminds us that the true humility of a penitent is like that of Abraham, who confessed: “I am but earth and ashes.” When we acknowledge that we are ashes, our ears are finally open to the Good Shepherd.This leads us to a deeper spiritual truth about our ability to listen: if we do not have an intimate, loving relationship with God, we cannot hear His voice.Think again of the sinful woman who wept at Jesus’ feet. Simon the Pharisee judged her and was disgusted by her past. He considered himself a good person; he did not feel that he owed God anything. But Jesus revealed a spiritual law: “The one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”This sinful woman clearly knew the ugliness and weight of her sins. She felt shameful, yet she had great faith that Jesus could heal her. When she experienced His lavish forgiveness, an ocean of gratitude and love was unleashed from within her heart.Here lies the secret: love is the frequency on which God speaks.If we are like the Pharisee—believing we are “already good enough” and do not need forgiveness—we will not be grateful. Without gratitude, our love for God becomes distant, cold, and transactional. If your heart is not burning with love for Him, how can you recognize the gentle, quiet whisper of the Good Shepherd?The woman’s sins were forgiven, and Jesus said to her, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Her contrition instantly united her heart with the heart of Christ.Today, let us examine our spiritual lives. Do we rely on our Catholic routines—such as attending Mass or saying prayers—while secretly harboring within us a judgmental, self-righteous Pharisee? Do we look down on others while forgetting how deeply we ourselves need God’s mercy?Let us ask God to give us a crushed and contrite heart. For when we realize how much we have been forgiven, we will love God passionately. And in that fervent, grateful love, the voice of God becomes clearer than ever before.Now take a moment to meditate again on the message of this Scripture:“The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)ReflectionWhen I pray, do I come before God with a list of my good deeds and complaints about others, or do I come empty-handed, relying only on His mercy? Am I willing to allow my pride to be “crushed” so that God’s voice can finally penetrate the walls of my self-reliance?Jesus said, “The one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” God has forgiven me and granted me such immense grace. Have I gradually become numb, forgetting to thank Him from the depths of my heart? Is my love for God passionate, or merely transactional?Am I substituting genuine sorrow for my sins with merely going through the motions of religious rituals? Does my heart truly feel how my sins have offended a God who loves me so deeply?Today’s PrayerLord Jesus, my beloved Good Shepherd, today I come before You not with my achievements, but with my brokenness.Forgive me for the times I have acted like a Pharisee, blinded by my own self-righteousness and deaf to Your gentle voice.Grant me a truly crushed and contrite heart—a heart that You will never despise. Help me to recognize the weight of my sin so that I may experience the immeasurable depth of Your mercy.Lord, because You have forgiven me so abundantly, grant that I may love You ever more deeply. Tune my heart to the frequency of Your love, so that I may always hear Your call and follow You faithfully.--------------------------------------------------The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: How Not to Miss God’s Voice?” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.Writer: Paul YeungProject Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa TseEditors: Bonny Chan, Rosa TseEnglish and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul YeungCantonese Narrator: Margaret WooEnglish Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AIMandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AIAudio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret WooYouTube Editor: Cyan CheungGraphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseWebsite: Patricia YoungPodcast: Angela WongSocial Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseTheme Music:"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria ★ Support this podcast ★

“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)Yesterday, we reflected on the need for a pure and undivided heart in order to see and hear God. But when we fall, how can we restore that purity? At the very beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, He revealed to us the most important key, and said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)Why was this Jesus’ first proclamation? Because the Kingdom of God is a reality that is breaking into our world, and within it God is constantly speaking to us. Yet if we do not repent, we simply cannot hear Him. If we do not want to miss God’s voice, we must understand that repentance is not a once-and-for-all event, but a daily process of tuning our spiritual ears.In our spiritual lives, sin is like a thick wall or a disconnected wire. It blocks God’s grace and creates a great barrier and gulf of communication between us and the Good Shepherd. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that interior repentance is “a radical reorientation of our whole life, a return, a conversion to God with all our heart.” (CCC 1431) When we cling stubbornly to sin, our spiritual senses become numb. We can no longer feel God’s presence, and we become deaf to His guidance. Repentance shatters this wall. Just as clearing the silt from a river channel allows the blocked water to flow again, repentance removes the obstacles that hinder God’s grace, allowing His voice to flow freely into our souls.Repentance requires profound humility. St. Thomas Aquinas warned that people often resist the truth because of pride, yet the fruit of repentance is to know the truth and to be set free from the snare of the devil.Pride tells us that we do not need guidance, leading us to rely on our own flawed intuition instead of turning to God for direction. The humility born of repentance helps us clearly see our weakness and sinfulness. When we acknowledge that we are lost sheep, we naturally stop listening to our own inflated ego and instead lift our ears to seek the voice of the Good Shepherd.Sin is by nature self-centered; it causes us to see only ourselves and to become absorbed in our own desires, ambitions, and wounds. Repentance breaks this self-centered cycle. It frees us from selfishness and redirects our entire focus toward God and others. Yet repentance is not merely about fixating on our faults and sins; more importantly, it leads us to discover God’s love for us. When we are immersed in this love, we realize how deeply sin has separated us from God, and our longing to hear His voice is rekindled.To maintain a repentant heart, we must break the bad habits of rationalizing our sins, avoiding confession, and stubbornly relying on ourselves. Instead, we must cultivate the good habit of daily examination. St. Ignatius recommends that we pray each day, asking the Lord for an interior knowledge and hatred of our sins so that we may correct ourselves and put our lives back in order. He also strongly encourages frequent confession, noting that a soul prepared through repentance and the Sacraments not only receives help to avoid falling into sin, but also preserves the increase of grace. (Spiritual Exercises, First Week).Today, let us ask the Lord to grant us the grace of true repentance, to remove every obstacle, and to open our hearts to receive the Good News of His Kingdom.Let us once again listen to the teaching of Jesus:“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)ReflectionIn my life, is there an unconfessed sin, resentment, or rationalized bad habit that stands like a wall between God and me?In what areas of my life am I relying entirely on my own wisdom or intuition, refusing to humbly seek God’s guidance? How does this pride make me spiritually “deaf”?Do I have the habit of making a daily examination of consciousness? Am I willing to commit myself to frequent confession in order to clear the “static” from my spiritual receiver?Today’s PrayerMerciful Abba Father, I admit that my pride and stubbornness often block Your grace and drown out Your voice in my life.Grant me sincere humility to recognize my sinfulness, and give me the courage to turn to You with all my heart. Remove my selfish desires and shatter the walls of my self-reliance.May the sacrament of Your forgiveness cleanse my soul, so that I may hear the call of the Good Shepherd and follow Him with joy into Your Kingdom.--------------------------------------------------The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: How Not to Miss God’s Voice?” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.Writer: Paul YeungProject Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa TseEditors: Bonny Chan, Rosa TseEnglish and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul YeungCantonese Narrator: Margaret WooEnglish Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AIMandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AIAudio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret WooYouTube Editor: Cyan CheungGraphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseWebsite: Patricia YoungPodcast: Angela WongSocial Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseTheme Music:"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria ★ Support this podcast ★

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)Over the past few days of reflection, we have come to realize that we need to rely completely on the Good Shepherd. We know that the Good Shepherd is speaking and guiding—but why is it so difficult for us to hear His voice?Our minds and hearts are often cluttered, distracted, and divided. At the beginning of His public ministry, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus revealed to us the key to tuning our inner receiver: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)What does “pure in heart” mean? When we hear the word “pure,” we often think only of avoiding impure thoughts or actions. However, spiritual purity carries a deeper and broader meaning. St. Thomas Aquinas teaches us that purity of heart is primarily related to our “affections”—that is, what we love and desire. A pure heart is an “undivided” heart. It does not serve two masters but remains single-minded and focused. The Catechism reminds us that the Beatitudes are meant to “purify our hearts in order to teach us to love God above all things”. (CCC 1728) Purity of heart means that God is your ultimate desire; everything else is secondary.How does this purity help us connect with God? Picture a pond: if you stir up the mud at the bottom, the water becomes cloudy, and you cannot see your reflection. But when the surface is still and the sediment settles, the water becomes clear like a mirror. When our hearts are stirred by worldly ambitions, vanity, and an unceasing desire for material things, our inner vision becomes blurred. The Beatitudes compel us to make decisive choices in the face of worldly goods. When we let go of our attachment to worldly splendour and allow the “sediment” of distractions in our hearts to settle, our affections are purified. This clarity enables us to “see God” in daily life and to establish a deep and intimate relationship with Him. In such a relationship, we no longer regard God as a distant and demanding supervisor, but as the true home of our hearts.This state of purity is the basic condition for listening to God’s voice. In the Spiritual Exercises, St. Ignatius of Loyola points out that the purpose of spiritual exercises is “to rid itself of all the disordered tendencies, and, after it is rid, to seek and find the Divine Will”. (Spiritual Exercises, no. 21) These “disordered tendencies” are the noises of our self-centeredness, fears, and worldly desires.Purity of heart helps us discern the Shepherd’s voice amid other competing noises. When your heart is pure, the false promises of the “hired hand” lose their appeal. In order to shut out the noise, we must ask God for the grace to recognize our sins and to turn away from worldly and vain pursuits.St. Francis can help us walk the path of purity. By appropriating nothing for themselves, Franciscans achieved “the peak of the highest poverty,” becoming “poor in things but rich in virtues”. (Later Rule, no. 6) Such radical detachment is “purity of heart” in action. Because he possessed nothing, St. Francis was free from conflicting anxieties. The noise of the world was silenced, and he was able to hear the Shepherd’s voice with perfect clarity.Let us once again meditate on this Gospel verse:“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)ReflectionsWhat is currently stirring up the “mud” in my heart? Which worldly ambitions, anxieties, or attachments are clouding the waters within me so that I cannot see God?Do I love God above all things, or am I trying to serve God while at the same time investing myself equally in worldly pursuits—such as the approval of others, a sense of achievement, pleasure, or material wealth?St. Francis warned us not to let daily work extinguish the spirit of prayer. Today, how can I fulfill my daily responsibilities without losing my inner focus on the Shepherd?Today’s PrayerLord Jesus, You promised that the pure in heart shall see God. Yet I so often come before You with a divided heart—one clouded by attachment to worldly things, selfish ambitions, and fears. For this, I feel ashamed.Grant me the grace of true purity. Purify my affections, that I may love You above all things.Help me to cast off all distractions that disturb my spiritual life. Like St. Francis, give me the courage to detach myself from everything that competes with Your voice, so that my heart may be wholly turned toward You.Lord, quiet my heart, so that in this stillness I may see Your face and hear Your gentle call.--------------------------------------------------The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: How Not to Miss God’s Voice?” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.Writer: Paul YeungProject Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa TseEditors: Bonny Chan, Rosa TseEnglish and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul YeungCantonese Narrator: Margaret WooEnglish Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AIMandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AIAudio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret WooYouTube Editor: Cyan CheungGraphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseWebsite: Patricia YoungPodcast: Angela WongSocial Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseTheme Music:"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria ★ Support this podcast ★

“I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will listen to my voice; and there will be one flock, one shepherd… My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:16, 27)Yesterday, we reflected on the difference between the Good Shepherd and the hired hand. Today, we turn our attention to the nature of the sheep—that is, to our own nature—and to why we are absolutely incapable of navigating the wilderness of this world on our own.In the animal kingdom, sheep are extremely vulnerable. They have no sharp teeth or claws to fend off wolves, no camouflage to hide from predators, and they have a notoriously poor sense of direction. Once a sheep wanders off, it cannot find its way home by itself; it must be “found.” Spiritually, we are exactly the same. We cannot navigate our lives on our own, because our spiritual vision is clouded by sin, and the terrain of life is filled with hidden dangers. We need the Good Shepherd. Jesus says: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27) Therefore, following Him is not merely a moral choice; it is a matter of life and death.A shepherd usually carries a staff with a curved hook at the top. What is this staff for? It is not used to beat the sheep, but to guide them and to pull them back when they wander too close to the edge of a cliff. How do we recognize His staff in our lives? God’s guidance often appears as a gentle correction. It may be a sudden pang of conscience when we are about to make a selfish decision; it may be a closed door in our career that redirects us toward a better path. We must learn to love the Shepherd’s staff, trusting that when He pulls us back from what we desire, He is actually saving us from a fall.In order to perceive His guidance more keenly, we must break the bad habit of “self-reliance.” When we insist on controlling every outcome, plan every detail without prayer, and rely solely on our own intelligence, we forget who we are and imagine ourselves to be sheep pretending to play the role of shepherd. This produces anxiety and spiritual deafness. Instead, we must cultivate the habit of “spiritual discernment.” St. Ignatius of Loyola teaches us to pay attention to the “movements” of the soul. If our thoughts and decisions bring true peace, tranquility, and rest, this is a clear sign that the good spirit—the Shepherd—is guiding us. But if our thoughts bring unrest, confusion, and rob us of our original peace, that is the voice of the enemy. Developing a daily habit of silence and practicing the “Examen”—reviewing our day together with God—can help us tune our ears to His unique frequency.St. Francis of Assisi once again becomes our model. How did St. Francis become so docile to the Shepherd’s voice? He realized that when we are preoccupied with managing wealth, reputation, and possessions, our minds become so noisy that we cannot hear the Shepherd’s voice. By letting go of worldly anxieties, St. Francis acknowledged his radical dependence on God. He became a true sheep, waiting each day for the Shepherd’s provision.Today, let us stop trying to navigate this wilderness on our own. Let us lay down the illusion of independence, fully embrace our need for Him, and listen carefully for the gentle tap of His staff.Let us meditate once again on the revelation this Gospel offers us:“I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will listen to my voice; and there will be one flock, one shepherd… My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:16, 27)ReflectionIn which areas of my life am I still pretending to be the “shepherd,” unwilling to accept that I am a “sheep” who needs to be led?Can I recall a time when God closed a door or pulled me back from something I deeply desired? Can I now see how His “staff” was protecting me at that time?St. Francis found complete dependence on God through “simplicity”. What concrete steps can I take today to simplify my life and deepen my trust in God’s providential care?Today’s PrayerDear Lord Jesus, I confess that I often stray from the right path, relying on my limited vision and wisdom to face the many dangers of this world. Help me to embrace my dependence on You and to acknowledge You as my true Shepherd.Grant me humility, that I may sincerely accept and gladly welcome the guiding staff You use—even when it pulls me back from my selfish desires and personal ambitions. Free me from the habits and bondage of “self-reliance,” and teach me to cultivate a spirit of quiet discernment, so that I may recognize the peace You give.Through the intercession of Saint Francis, grant me the spirit of poverty, so that after clearing away the noise of the world, I may hear Your voice clearly and follow You safely into Your fold.--------------------------------------------------The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: How Not to Miss God’s Voice?” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.Writer: Paul YeungProject Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa TseEditors: Bonny Chan, Rosa TseEnglish and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul YeungCantonese Narrator: Margaret WooEnglish Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AIMandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AIAudio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret WooYouTube Editor: Cyan CheungGraphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseWebsite: Patricia YoungPodcast: Angela WongSocial Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseTheme Music:"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria ★ Support this podcast ★

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:11–15)Yesterday, we learned how to distinguish the gentle voice of the shepherd from the accusatory voice of the thief. Today, Jesus deepens this image by introducing a third character: the hired hand.In our modern lives, the “hired hand” symbolizes those things we rely on—things that promise us security but abandon us when the “wolves” of suffering, illness, or death attack. “Wealth” is a hired hand; it promises security, but when a loved one dies, it cannot buy peace. “Social status” is a hired hand; it offers affirmation, but when we face failure or humiliation, it disappears in an instant. Even our own “vanity” is a hired hand; it demands to be fed, yet under the crushing weight of the cross, it collapses. When the wolf comes, all these things run away. Only Jesus remains. He places Himself between us and the wolf, willingly laying down His life for us.Jesus says, “I know my own and my own know me.” (Jn 10:14) In the biblical sense, “to know” is not merely to possess information about someone; it is to enter into an intimate, covenantal relationship. It is like a child recognizing his father simply by the sound of his footsteps in the hallway. Do we know Jesus in this way? Or is He merely a historical figure to us? To know the Shepherd means to trust His will. A sheep may not understand why the shepherd leads it through the valley of the shadow of death, or why he shears its wool, but it knows the shepherd’s character. It knows that the staff is for protection, not punishment.How do we cultivate such radical trust? We can learn from St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis understood that to truly hear the voice of the Good Shepherd, he had to stop relying on the “hired hands” of this world. In the Rule of the Franciscan Order, he exhorted the brothers to “appropriate nothing for themselves… and to serve God in poverty and humility, as pilgrims and strangers in this world.” Why? Because Francis realized that the more he possessed, the more he had to defend, and the more easily he would become distracted. By becoming a “pilgrim” in this world, he became a true sheep—completely dependent on the Shepherd for daily pasture.St. Francis teaches us that when we relinquish our dependence on power and control, our spiritual hearing becomes sharper. We begin to hear the Shepherd’s voice in the wind, in the poor, and in the silence of prayer. We realize that we do not need to be “strong” or “successful” in the eyes of the world; we simply need to be part of the flock, belonging to this one sheepfold.Now, chew once more on the message this Gospel brings to you:“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:11–15)ReflectionWhat are the “hired hands” in my life right now? Is it my wealth, social status, capabilities, the approval of others, or something else? Which of these am I most afraid of losing?Do I truly “know” this Good Shepherd, or do I merely “know about” Him? How much time am I willing to spend each day in silence, growing in deeper knowledge of Him, so that I may discern His voice?St. Francis gave up all his possessions in order to rely more fully on God. What unnecessary “noise” or clutter can I remove from my life so that I may hear the voice of the Good Shepherd more clearly?Today’s PrayerLord Jesus, my Good Shepherd, when darkness fell, You did not run away; You laid down Your life to save me from the wolves of sin and death. Forgive me, for I often trust in “hired hands” more than I trust in You.Grant me the grace of St. Francis, that I may strip away the false securities of this world, so that I may lack nothing in trust and humility.Open my ears, that I may know Your voice intimately. Let me rest in Your sheepfold, knowing that I belong to You, and that no one can snatch me from Your hand.Lord, I am willing to accept Your shepherding, and even more, to delight in being nourished by You.--------------------------------------------------The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: How Not to Miss God’s Voice?” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.Writer: Paul YeungProject Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa TseEditors: Bonny Chan, Rosa TseEnglish and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul YeungCantonese Narrator: Margaret WooEnglish Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AIMandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AIAudio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret WooYouTube Editor: Cyan CheungGraphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseWebsite: Patricia YoungPodcast: Angela WongSocial Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseTheme Music:"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria ★ Support this podcast ★

Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter the sheepfold through the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a robber. The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. They will not follow a stranger but will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers. Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved; he will go in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:1–5, 7–10)In the wilderness, we learned to reject the devil’s temptations; now, we must learn to discern the voice of God. Did you know that sheep are nearsighted? They cannot see far into the distance and cannot rely on sight to find their way. Their survival depends on their hearing. They must “recognize” the shepherd’s voice.This is a portrait of our relationship with God. In this age of visual overload, we are inundated every day by screens, advertisements, and data. Our “spiritual vision” is often blurred. We cannot see the future clearly; we cannot see the road ahead. At such times, if we insist on “seeing clearly” before we are willing to act, we easily fall into anxiety. Jesus tells us: do not try to see clearly; try to “hear clearly.” If we do not want the Lord’s word to fall to the ground, we must first admit: I need guidance, and the navigation system is the “Shepherd’s Voice”.Jesus says, “He calls his own sheep by name”. (John 10:3) This is the key criterion for distinguishing the Divine Voice from worldly noise. Pope Benedict XVI once said that this kind of “knowing” is not intellectual but of the heart—it is a relationship of loving and being loved.Listen closely. How does the voice of the world—that “thief”—call you? It does not call your name; it calls your “labels.” It shouts: “Consumer! Loser! Not good enough!” The thief’s voice makes you feel being compared and used.But the voice of the Good Shepherd is different. When God speaks, He calls forth your true identity, and the name you received at Baptism. Even when He corrects you, His voice carries dignity. He says, “My child, my beloved.”When you hear a voice that makes you feel inferior, panicked, or worthless, stop for a moment. That is not the Shepherd; that is the thief. That is a stranger, and you should, like the sheep, “run away from him.” (John 10:5)Jesus also says, “I am the gate”. (John 10:9) In daily life, we often allow too many things to enter directly into the pasture of our hearts: unfiltered news, other people’s negative emotions, fears about the future. These “thieves” climb over the wall with the purpose of “stealing” your joy, “killing” your hope, and “destroying” your peace.When a thought arises, ask it: “Did you come through Jesus?” If the thought is filled with envy, hatred, or despair, it is a robber who climbed over the wall. Drive it out! Only those voices that pass through Jesus—those that bring truth, mercy, and life—should be allowed to enter your heart.Finally, Jesus promises to give us “life in abundance.” (John 10:10) This is not material prosperity but relational wealth. True abundance is this: even in the valley of death, you feel secure because you recognize the footsteps of the One who leads you.The Shepherd is walking ahead, and He is calling your name. Do you hear Him?Let us once again meditate on this verse:Jesus said, “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”  (John 10:10)ReflectionDo you habitually define yourself by worldly labels—for example: I am not successful enough, I am too fat, I am too old? Try to be still in prayer and imagine Jesus looking into your eyes. How would He call your name?Jesus says the thief comes to “steal and slaughter and destroy.” In your life right now, what is “stealing” the time you spend with your family? What is “killing” your hope for the future? Identify this “thief.”Have you recently allowed too many “strangers”—such as harmful information or thoughts—to enter your mind freely? What concrete steps can you take to set boundaries, for example: not checking your phone before bed, refusing to engage in gossip, and so on?Today’s PrayerLord Jesus, my loving Good Shepherd, thank You for helping me realize in today’s reflection that the voices of the world are so noisy, like thieves trying to steal my peace and make me forget who I am. Forgive me, for I have often followed the temptations of strangers while turning a deaf ear to Your call.Today, grant me the “ears of a sheep.” Teach me to discern Your voice—the one that does not accuse or threaten, but is filled with truth and love.When I am lost in anxiety, please call my name loudly. I want to pass through You, the gate, and enter the abundant pasture You have prepared for me.I no longer want to be a frightened and helpless sheep. I want to be the beloved child in Your embrace.--------------------------------------------------The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: How Not to Miss God’s Voice?” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.Writer: Paul YeungProject Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa TseEditors: Bonny Chan, Rosa TseEnglish and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul YeungCantonese Narrator: Margaret WooEnglish Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AIMandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AIAudio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret WooYouTube Editor: Cyan CheungGraphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseWebsite: Patricia YoungPodcast: Angela WongSocial Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseTheme Music:"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria ★ Support this podcast ★

Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him. (Matthew 4:11)Why didn't the angels come on the first day of Jesus' hunger? Why didn't they show up when He stood on the pinnacle of the temple? St. Thomas Aquinas explains that the angels waited until the temptation was over so that Jesus could defeat the devil as a man. If the angels had intervened too early, the victory would not have belonged to His humanity.We often mistake "God's silence" for "God's absence." Consequently, we panic and rush to listen to the devil's suggestions, like in Jesus’ case, turning stones to bread. But in reality, God's silence is a “voice of trust”—He trusts that you, relying on His Word, can win this battle. If we compromise with temptation because we cannot endure the silence, we miss the most precious tender and loving words from the Father after the victory.God's voice does not always shout in the storm but comes gently through "angels' ministry" after we have rejected the devil's noise. So, not missing God's voice requires us to learn to resist temptations and to persist in the struggle until Divine Consolation arrives, rather than grabbing at worldly comforts in panic.Please note the difference between God’s voice and the voice of the tempter. The voice of temptation is always loud and compulsive, but the voice of God is ministerial and restorative.Temptation can be like an intense battle. When the battle is over, we don't need more noise; we need a "recovery room." God's voice is often heard in "rest." Only when we allow ourselves to be ministered to by God can we hear His commission for our next step.However, we are conditioned by modern culture to be  unable to withstand boredom, or to be still in God’s presence.We are afraid of loneliness, and yet, we are facing a "loneliness epidemic" today. Why are we so lonely? Because we try to fill our spiritual hunger with "digital connection." It temporarily halts hunger but cannot nourish life. We are used to scrolling and seeking “likes” to chase away loneliness, but the result is deeper anxiety and depression.What we need to learn is that when we feel lonely, we should view it as a signal. Do not immediately turn to our phones or other forms of entertainment. Instead, try to stay in that void and say to God, "I wait for You." Our spiritual senses become sharper if we reject these noises. Only then can we perceive the "angels" God sends—perhaps a moving verse of Scripture, or a greeting from a friend.Not missing God's voice requires recognizing that relief comes from obedience, not compromise. The devil promises instant relief or gratification, but God promises perfect restoration and lasting satisfaction.The voice of God is missed when we settle for the devil's fast food instead of waiting for the banquet of angels.Let us listen to this Gospel passage once again:Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him. (Matthew 4:11)ReflectionHave you ever felt that God’s silence means He is ignoring you or not answering your prayer? Are you willing to wait for God’s response and deliverance?Recall a time when you faced difficulty and God did not respond immediately but made you wait. Do you now understand the reason for His silence or delayed response at that time?After experiencing the ministry of angels, to whom is God calling you to be an “angel”? Who is in the desert today, needing your service?Today’s PrayerLord Jesus, thank You for showing me that true nourishment is not found in bread made from stones, but in the peace that comes after obeying the Father’s will.Lord, I confess that I often listen to the noise of the world out of fear of loneliness and miss Your gentle voice. Forgive me for seeking immediate worldly satisfaction. In the desert of my life, when I feel abandoned, grant me the strength to persevere to the end.Please send Your angels to minister to me, so that my soul may be truly satisfied. Please also send me to serve the brothers and sisters who are struggling in loneliness and despair, so that through me, they may hear the voice of Your love.--------------------------------------------------The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: How Not to Miss God’s Voice?” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.Writer: Paul YeungProject Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa TseEditors: Bonny Chan, Rosa TseEnglish and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul YeungCantonese Narrator: Margaret WooEnglish Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AIMandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AIAudio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret WooYouTube Editor: Cyan CheungGraphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseWebsite: Patricia YoungPodcast: Angela WongSocial Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseTheme Music:"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria ★ Support this podcast ★

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” (Matthew 4:8-10)This is a battle about “focus.” The devil brought Jesus up to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. The scene was enticing, much like the “perfect lives” we see on social media—travel, fine food, wealth. The devil’s proposal was simple: “As long as you follow my instructions, adjust your priorities slightly, compromise your moral bottom line just a little, and submit to me in this small matter, all of these will be yours.”Paragraph 2113 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church warns us that idolatry does not refer only to the worship of false gods. The Catechism explains: “Idolatry consists in divinizing what is not God. Man commits idolatry whenever he honors and reveres a creature in place of God, whether this be gods or demons, power, pleasure, race, ancestors, the state, money, etc.”In modern society, “hustle culture” has become our new religion. We sacrifice sleep, family, and even health on the altar of “success.” We may idolize celebrities, admire certain lifestyles, or submit ourselves to the pursuit of "likes" on social media. We believe these things can give us security and value. Yet this is ultimately a lie: these idols can neither bring us true and lasting joy and peace, nor offer more than fleeting and superficial satisfaction. More seriously, “idolatry rejects the unique Lordship of God; it is therefore incompatible with communion with God.” (CCC 2113)Jesus rebuked the devil by quoting Scripture: “Away with you, Satan! Serve only God.” This is not bondage; it is freedom. When we worship God, we restore all things to their proper order. St. Francis of Assisi is one of the best examples. He renounced his father’s wealth and worldly honour, choosing “poverty” instead. The world considered him mad, yet he gained insurmountable freedom, being able to hear the birds sing and seeing God’s presence in all creation. “Worship” is not about giving something to God, for He lacks nothing; it is about recalibrating our vision and perspective. When God becomes greater in our eyes, the noise of temptation and the comparisons that make us anxious fade into insignificance. Only by overturning the idols in our hearts can our ears once again hear the one true and authentic Voice.Let us once again meditate on the message this Gospel passage reveals to us:Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” (Matthew 4:8-10)ReflectionIn your life, are there visible or invisible idols that overshadow your reverence for God—things into which you pour more of your time and energy, even replacing God’s rightful top priority in your life?How has your pursuit of these idols muffled God’s voice within you?Have you ever compromised your moral principles or values in order to chase after these idols?Today’s PrayerLord Jesus, You beheld the glory and riches of the world and turned away, for You knew the greater glory of the Father. Open my eyes, that I may see that the idols I pursue are but illusions.Help me renounce the worship of money, approval, success, and every other idol. Tear down the altars I have built for these false gods. Today, I choose to kneel before You alone.I desire to withdraw from the noise and distractions of this world, so that my soul may find its true resting place in You.O God, You are my one and only God; You alone I serve.--------------------------------------------------The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: How Not to Miss God’s Voice?” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.Writer: Paul YeungProject Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa TseEditors: Bonny Chan, Rosa TseEnglish and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul YeungCantonese Narrator: Margaret WooEnglish Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AIMandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AIAudio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret WooYouTube Editor: Cyan CheungGraphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseWebsite: Patricia YoungPodcast: Angela WongSocial Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseTheme Music:"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria ★ Support this podcast ★

Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’     and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (Matthew 4:5-7)The trap into which fervent believers most easily fall is “spiritual pride”. The devil quoted Psalm 91 and suggested that Jesus create a crisis to force God to intervene. This is equivalent to saying to God: “God, if You love me, then You must save me at the time I specify and in the way I prescribe.”We not only live in an age that pursues “instant gratification,” but also in an era of “same-day delivery.” We are accustomed to having absolute control over our lives—tracking packages, forecasting the weather, planning retirement. When we face sudden and uncontrollable challenges in life, such as a cancer diagnosis, receiving a layoff notice, or a child’s rebellion, we panic. We try to control God in the same way: “I prayed a Novena, so You should heal this illness.” Paragraph 2119 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church clearly states that “tempting God” consists in putting God’s goodness or omnipotence to the test in one’s words or actions. In reality, this is a form of doubt; we refuse to believe God loves us unless He proves it with a miracle.Yesterday we reflected on how the devil challenges and attacks our identity, leading us to doubt our worth and driving us to prove our value through performance in order to affirm our identity. God, however, affirms our identity and thereby grants us our intrinsic worth.Now the devil uses a similar tactic, urging us to question God and to command Him to intervene or perform miracles according to our demands, in order to confirm that He loves us and to validate our relationship with Him. This is what it means to put God to the test.“Testing” demands that God prove Himself; “Trusting” believes even without evidence. Imagine a child standing at a height while his father opens his arms and says, “Jump down. I will catch you.” That is trust. But if the child says, “Dad, I’m going to close my eyes and jump now—if you love me, you must catch me!” that is testing God.Such behavior in effect demands that God obey us rather than we obey Him, forcing Him to carry out our will. Our pride makes us think that our wisdom surpasses God’s, that we know and grasp the best possible solution to every situation, and that God must respond immediately according to our terms. In doing so, we set ourselves up as the arbiters of what is good and bad, and the standard of right and wrong.Jesus refused to jump. He chose the harder path: to walk down from the temple step by step, and ultimately to walk toward Calvary. In this Jubilee Year of St. Francis, we learn from St. Francis the virtue of obedience—not asking God to change circumstances to suit us, but asking God to change our hearts to conform to His will.When you stop trying to control the outcome, you can begin to hear God’s guidance in the process.Let us once again meditate on what this Gospel passage reveals to us:Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’     and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (Matthew 4:5-7)ReflectionHave you ever treated prayer as a transaction? In what ways have you tried to “instruct” God to intervene or help according to your will?Do you have sufficient trust in God? Do you believe that in every circumstance He knows what is best for you and will care for your needs?If God’s response to your present prayer is “wait” or “no,” can you still trust in His goodness?Today’s PrayerMerciful Father, in today’s reflection I have examined how I view my relationship with You. Forgive me for trying to be the director of my own life.I recognize the hidden pride within me that has placed my will above Yours and failed to offer You the trust and obedience that I owe You. Help me to lay down my own timetable and expectations, to trust You wholeheartedly, and to believe deeply that in every circumstance You will make the best arrangement for me.I repent for the moments when I have tested You. From now on, I desire to walk on the path You have prepared for me and to submit to Your holy will, even if it requires patient waiting.Holy Spirit, help me to say sincerely to the Father: “May Your will be done in my life.”--------------------------------------------------The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: How Not to Miss God’s Voice?” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.Writer: Paul YeungProject Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa TseEditors: Bonny Chan, Rosa TseEnglish and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul YeungCantonese Narrator: Margaret WooEnglish Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AIMandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AIAudio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret WooYouTube Editor: Cyan CheungGraphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseWebsite: Patricia YoungPodcast: Angela WongSocial Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseTheme Music:"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria ★ Support this podcast ★

The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” (Matthew 4:3)When Jesus was baptized, the Father’s voice declared: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17) But forty days later, the tempter’s very first words attack that declaration: “If you are the Son of God…” Notice the subtle twist. The devil attempts to make Jesus doubt the Father’s word and tempts Him to prove Himself through “performance” — by turning stones into bread.When we try to listen to God, we often hear similar noises: “If you were truly loved, why are you suffering?” “If you were really a good Christian, why haven’t your prayers been answered?” These voices try to define us by achievement, wealth, or the approval of others.This is the battlefield we face every day. Psychologists note that low self-esteem is spreading like an epidemic, especially among high achievers and young people. Social media intensifies this comparison: we see others’ curated lives and begin to question our own worth. The devil’s logic is this: “If you were worthy, you should be richer, more successful, healthier.” He tries to shift our identity from “Being” to “Doing”.The Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1213 reminds us that through Baptism we become “children of God.” This is an indelible spiritual mark. (CCC 1272) Whether you are successful or failing today, whether you have “turned stones into bread” or are still hungry, your identity does not change. Jesus refused to prove Himself by performing a miracle because He did not need to prove who He was. He knew exactly who He was.When we attempt to listen to God’s voice, the greatest interference often comes from doubts about “who I am.” The devil tries to push us to prove our worth through performance, but God’s voice has already affirmed us before we act. Our value lies not in our productivity, but in who we are.Therefore, if we want to hear God’s voice, we must return to the grace of our Baptism. God’s voice is always affirming and life-giving: “You are my beloved Son.” The tempter’s voice, however, is always conditional: “If you accomplish this, then you will have identity and worth…”To hear God, we must first lower the volume of self-doubt. We do not need to earn God’s love through busyness, achievement, or others’ approval. The devil says, “Do something to prove yourself!” The Father says, “No matter what, you are loved.”Today, when that voice questioning your identity appears, simply answer it with the Father’s declaration spoken over you in Baptism. You no longer need to prove anything. You are God’s beloved child.Now let us listen again to this Gospel passage:The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” (Matthew 4:3)ReflectionHow do you measure your worth in your own mind? Do you tend to affirm or deny yourself based on your abilities and performance?In which areas of your life — work, family, church ministry, or elsewhere — do you feel the greatest pressure to “prove” your ability and value?If one day you were to lose your ability to work, would you still believe that you are God’s beloved child? Do you think God’s love and esteem for you are proportional to your contributions?Today’s PrayerMerciful Abba Father, in my mind I know that You are my Father and I am Your child. Yet deep in my heart, and in the way I act, I notice that I still doubt this identity. When I am tempted and enticed, my confidence is shaken.Please help me quiet the voices that tell me I must perform in order to be loved. I renounce the impulse to turn stones into bread to prove my worth. I choose to listen only to Your voice — the voice that called my name at my Baptism. I reaffirm that You are my Father and I am Your child. Your love and affirmation for me are without condition.Today, may this truth take firm root in my heart, so that I will no longer be shaken by the enemy’s lies. I am Yours, and that is all that matters.--------------------------------------------------The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: How Not to Miss God’s Voice?” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.Writer: Paul YeungProject Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa TseEditors: Bonny Chan, Rosa TseEnglish and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul YeungCantonese Narrator: Margaret WooEnglish Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AIMandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AIAudio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret WooYouTube Editor: Cyan CheungGraphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseWebsite: Patricia YoungPodcast: Angela WongSocial Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseTheme Music:"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria ★ Support this podcast ★

“He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry.” (Matthew 4:2)“Afterwards he was hungry.” This simple line of Scripture reveals the true humanity of Jesus. He was not incapable of feeling pain; rather, He chose not to let pain govern His decisions and actions.Why are we afraid of hunger? Because hunger reminds us that we are not self-sufficient. We are fragile, and we must receive  external nourishment to survive. This is the starting point of listening to God—acknowledging, “I need God.” When we numb this sensation with food or entertainment, it is like turning off the receiver that picks up God’s signal. Fasting is effectively tuning the frequency. Fasting prompts us, as we experience physical lack, to redirect that craving toward God and say: “Lord, my need for You is as real as my need for food right now.”Neuroscience tells us that our brains are naturally wired to seek reward. However, modern technology and high-calorie foods have “hijacked” this system. Studies show that social media notifications trigger the same brain chemistry as gambling, creating cycles of anxiety and addiction. We become like laboratory mice governed by conditioned reflexes: when bored, we scroll; when stressed, we reach for sweets.On this seventh day of the retreat, let us practice what may be called “sacred emptiness.” Do not rush to fill the discomfort. This sense of hunger is the radar of your soul, scanning for wavelengths that resonate with God. As Pope Saint John Paul II taught us, through self-denial we create space for Christ’s love to fill us. If you do not feel hungry, you may find it difficult to taste the sweetness of God’s words.The Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2015, teaches us: “There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle.” Fasting is not merely a traditional discipline; it is an act of reclaiming sovereignty. When we refuse the desires of the flesh, we strengthen the muscles of the soul. Just as athletes build physical strength through resistance training, Christians sharpen their spiritual hearing by refusing instant gratification.If we cannot resist even a single cookie, how can we resist the temptation of sin? If we cannot go one hour without checking our phones, how can we focus on God’s presence? Fasting clears our spiritual space. When the stomach feels empty, it becomes a physical reminder that we are not self-sufficient. This emptiness is a sacred space, which Pope Francis describes as “an awareness of our dependence on God and our neighbours.” Do not rush to fill the hunger. Let it become a prayer: “Lord, I desire You more than the food of this world.”Only an empty vessel can be filled.Let us listen once again, attentively, to the word of the Lord:“He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry.” (Matthew 4:2)ReflectionDo you subconsciously feel that most of the time you do not need God, and therefore try to avoid entering a state of need? For example, avoiding hunger, boredom, loneliness, or any form of physical or emotional lack. Why might this be so?Are the muscles of your soul weak? Do you often rely on instant gratification to prevent yourself from entering a state of emptiness or need? In prayer, ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to overcome this weakness.How can you fast today in order to create space to listen to God? For example, fasting from noise, fasting from social media, fasting from expressing your opinions, or fasting from certain foods.Today’s PrayerLord Jesus, You willingly endured hunger to show me the path to the Father. You understand the weakness of my flesh. I confess that I often use worldly comforts to numb my soul. Help me break free from the chains of my many attachments and addictions, big and small.Today, I choose to fast—not only from food, but from the pursuit of instant gratification. I offer You my small sacrifice. When my body longs for food or comfort, may my soul cry out even more strongly for Your presence.I choose to use this bodily emptiness to awaken my spiritual hearing. I long for You with all my heart, for I know that You alone can truly satisfy me.--------------------------------------------------The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: How Not to Miss God’s Voice?” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.Writer: Paul YeungProject Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa TseEditors: Bonny Chan, Rosa TseEnglish and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul YeungCantonese Narrator: Margaret WooEnglish Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AIMandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AIAudio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret WooYouTube Editor: Cyan CheungGraphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseWebsite: Patricia YoungPodcast: Angela WongSocial Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseTheme Music:"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria ★ Support this podcast ★

“The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to him.” (Mark 1:12-13)Scripture uses a very strong verb here: “drove.” Jesus’ entry into the wilderness was not accidental; it was the deliberate initiative of the Holy Spirit. Why? Paragraphs 538 and 539 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that Jesus is the New Adam. In the wilderness, He faced three temptations from the devil—temptations that parallel those experienced by Adam in the Garden and by the Israelites in the desert. But this time, Jesus, the New Adam, responded with complete obedience to the will of the Father and repelled the attacks of the devil.People living in the modern world have become accustomed to being surrounded by noise. One could even say we are “addicted to noise.” We face an unprecedented kind of “spiritual hearing impairment.” Statistics show that teenagers today spend nearly five hours a day on social media, and adults are not far behind. We fear silence because silence forces us to confront the emptiness within and the wounds that remain unhealed. Psychologists have found in experiments that many people would rather receive electric shocks than sit alone in a quiet room and think for fifteen minutes.Our lives are already busy, yet in the little free time we have left, we instinctively reach for social media, endless videos, news, and entertainment to fill every spare moment. It is as if we have constructed a thick “protective shield,” blocking out the gentle, subtle voice of God.Therefore, when God permits difficulties to arise in our lives—when the Holy Spirit “pushes” us into the wilderness of our own lives—such as the anxiety of unemployment, the suffering and isolation of illness, the breakdown of relationships, or spiritual dryness—these are not punishments. Rather, they are opportunities for us to hear the voice that comfort and distraction have long concealed. They are opportunities for purification and spiritual “detox.”God lowers the volume of the world so that we are forced to face our true selves. This is an essential path to healing. Pope Saint John Paul II reminded the faithful that in this noisy world, we must “rediscover the value of silence,” because silence is the frequency on which God speaks.In the wilderness, where there seems to be no escape, there are no social media distractions—only two voices remain: the lies of the tempter and the truth of the Father. In such an environment, we learn to discern more clearly.In the book of the prophet Hosea, chapter 2, verse 14, God says: “I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.” This is the purpose of the wilderness: not destruction, but intimate dialogue.In this Special Jubilee of Saint Francis of Assisi, let us learn from Saint Francis. He did not fear material or spiritual poverty but embraced it as an opportunity to draw closer to Christ. Today, do not rush to escape your wilderness. Instead, remain there, and ask the Holy Spirit: “You have brought me here—what do You want to say to me?”Let us listen once more to the Word of God:“The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to him.” (Mark 1:12-13)ReflectionExamine your “noise intake.” How much time each day do you spend in complete silence? Do you tend to avoid silence deliberately? Why?When you encounter “wilderness moments” in your life—such as illness, unemployment, or family difficulties—do you see them as punishment, or as opportunities for purification and preparation? What noise might the Holy Spirit be trying to remove from your life?Now, enter into silence, and listen to what the Father desires to say to your heart at this very moment.Today’s PrayerHoly Spirit, You drove Jesus into the wilderness. Help me to follow Your guidance with the same obedience. I confess that I have been avoiding silence, afraid of what I might hear or feel—afraid of truths I may not want to accept. Thank You for the “wilderness” You have allowed in my life, to remove my distractions and to reshape my heart.Help me not to see my present struggles as abandonment, but to trust that You are with me and to surrender fully to Your guidance.Open my ears, so that I may hear the gentle words the Father desires to speak to my heart in this silence.--------------------------------------------------The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: How Not to Miss God’s Voice?” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.Writer: Paul YeungProject Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa TseEditors: Bonny Chan, Rosa TseEnglish and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul YeungCantonese Narrator: Margaret WooEnglish Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AIMandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AIAudio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret WooYouTube Editor: Cyan CheungGraphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseWebsite: Patricia YoungPodcast: Angela WongSocial Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseTheme Music:"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria ★ Support this podcast ★

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘One does not live by bread alone, but also by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)After fasting in the wilderness for forty days and becoming hungry, Jesus faced the temptation of the devil. He did not yield to the needs of the flesh, but proclaimed that the Word of God is the true food.You may think, “How can this be? This is not something human beings can do. Jesus, being God, could certainly do it—but I am not! Can one really be filled by the Word alone? Can one live without bread and food?” Such thoughts are understandable. However, Jesus was not denying the importance of food for our bodies. Rather, He wanted us to understand that both our body and our soul have their own needs, and material things alone cannot nourish the soul. The Word of God is the true nourishment that sustains spiritual life and guides our inner growth.We often satisfy our hunger with worldly food—endless entertainment, the sense of achievement gained through work, personal reputation, or the pleasures of material comforts and fine food—yet we neglect the hunger of the soul. As a result, our hearts grow weary and burdened, unable to discern God’s voice, because we have filled ourselves with noise and emptiness.Let us examine our daily intake: after waking up, do you reach for your phone to read the latest updates, or do you meditate on a passage of Scripture? Jesus teaches us that we do not live by food alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. The Word of God is like manna, freshly given each day. It empowers us to overcome temptation, heals our wounds, and gives us direction.This, then, becomes a matter of priorities. Recall how, on the second day of the retreat, we reflected on how the Lord Jesus placed His relationship with the Father first, deliberately setting aside the best time of day to be alone in communion with Him. In today’s Gospel, through His response to the devil’s temptation, Jesus teaches us not to place material pursuits above spiritual ones. When we focus excessively on material satisfaction, we often neglect the hunger of our soul. Only by seeking the Father’s will and putting it into action can our lives be truly fulfilled. We must never forget: the satisfaction of the body and material things can never compare with the richness of the soul.True security in life does not lie in worldly wealth or possessions, but in complete trust in God’s love and promises. We can place our full confidence in the Father. When we seek first the Kingdom of God and the Father’s will with all our heart, our bodily needs and all other things will be given to us as well.Lent is not about starving ourselves, but about changing the source of our spiritual nourishment. When we make the Word of God our primary food, our ears become attuned to the Lord’s frequency. We are able to receive His voice and will not miss His call.Let us once again savour these words of the Lord Jesus:Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘One does not live by bread alone, but also by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)ReflectionWhat worldly food are you pursuing—such as online information, entertainment, or fine food—that causes you to neglect the needs of your soul and leaves your soul still hungry?How much time do you spend satisfying your physical and material needs, and how much time do you spend nourishing your soul? What changes can you make today to place listening to God’s Word first?Recall a time of hardship in your life. How did the Lord’s Word nourish you then? During this Lenten season, how can you intentionally seek this nourishment?Today’s PrayerLord Jesus Christ, thank You for helping me realize through today’s reflection that my life has fallen out of balance. I have spent too much time focusing on physical and superficial satisfaction, while neglecting the needs of my heart and soul, leaving my spirit dry and hungry. Most importantly, I have lacked time alone with You, and I have failed to listen to Your voice and Your heart.Holy Spirit, help me to reorder the priorities of my life. May Your Word become my primary nourishment. Help me to understand and profess that my true security does not lie in worldly wealth or possessions, but in my complete trust in the love and promises of the Father.Heavenly Father, I place my trust in You with all my heart, and in You I take refuge.--------------------------------------------------The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: How Not to Miss God’s Voice?” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.Writer: Paul YeungProject Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa TseEditors: Bonny Chan, Rosa TseEnglish and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul YeungCantonese Narrator: Margaret WooEnglish Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AIMandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AIAudio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret WooYouTube Editor: Cyan CheungGraphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseWebsite: Patricia YoungPodcast: Angela WongSocial Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseTheme Music:"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria ★ Support this podcast ★

"Oh, that today you would hear his voice: Do not harden your hearts as at Meribah, as on the day of Massah in the desert. There your ancestors tested me; they tried me though they had seen my works." (Psalm 95:7–9)Over these days of retreat, we have begun to explore the foundations of listening. One essential prerequisite is our desire for an intimate relationship with God. Yesterday’s reflections reminded us that the willingness to listen is the first way we demonstrate our desire to enter into relationship with another person. If we do not yearn for intimacy, why would we invest the time and effort needed for genuine listening and communication?Out of love, God created us through His Word. And out of the same love, He longs to nourish us with His Word. Consider the “manna” given to the Israelites in the desert: it was fresh each day, meant to be consumed that very day—never meant to be stored up for the next day. God’s faithful love has never changed; He has never been stingy in giving us what we need. Just as He supplied manna daily for the Israelites, He now supplies for our needs. Since manna symbolizes God’s Word, we can be confident that if we listen attentively, we will receive the message God offers us anew each day.But to listen to God’s Word, we need the right disposition and some practical skills. This retreat has invited us to cultivate desire, discipline, set-apart time, a dedicated space, and above all, trust in God. This list may seem demanding at first, but with practice it becomes more natural, helping us connect with God more easily.You may wonder: Where do I begin? And how should I start? The answer is: Today.Not yesterday, and not tomorrow. To nurture a healthy spiritual life, we must live in the present moment. The Psalmist gives us a warning: the greatest obstacle to hearing God is often not His silence, but our hardened hearts. During their forty years in the desert, the Israelites witnessed God’s mighty deeds—He parted the Red Sea, He sent manna from heaven—yet they still tested Him out of fear and unbelief.What causes our hearts to harden? Often it is fear, past disappointments, or the accumulated habit of saying “no” to God. Perhaps we fear that God will ask us to surrender something we cherish. Perhaps we have been hurt before and have built a protective wall that lets no one in—not even God. Like the Israelites at Massah, we demand that God prove Himself first before we trust Him. How this must grieve the One who has already given us everything!To soften our hearts, we must believe that God’s will is for our good. Lent is a season for breaking open the hardened ground of our hearts, so that the seed of God’s Word can take root. The manna in the wilderness was only enough for each day; in the same way, God’s grace is given for the needs of today. We do not need to be anxious about the future or worry about tomorrow’s lack—God Himself will provide!Let us again listen attentively to the Word of God:"Oh, that today you would hear his voice: Do not harden your hearts as at Meribah, as on the day of Massah in the desert. There your ancestors tested me; they tried me though they had seen my works." (Psalm 95:7–9)ReflectionAre there areas in your life where you resist God or where your heart has grown hard toward Him? Are you waiting for Him to “prove” something before you are willing to try and obey?Now, please take time to examine the reasons behind your distrust or hardness of heart toward God.Are you afraid that God might say something you do not want to hear? If so, what is the root of that fear?Today’s PrayerMerciful Abba Father, I offer my heart to You.Remove the heart of stone within me and give me a heart of flesh. Take away my fear of Your voice.I choose to believe that Your plans for me are plans of peace and not disaster—plans that give me a future and a hope.I do not want to wait until tomorrow to listen.Today, I refuse to let my heart be hardened.Today, I choose to trust You. I open my heart to You.Come in, Lord. Transform me.--------------------------------------------------The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: How Not to Miss God’s Voice?” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.Writer: Paul YeungProject Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa TseEditors: Bonny Chan, Rosa TseEnglish and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul YeungCantonese Narrator: Margaret WooEnglish Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AIMandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AIAudio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret WooYouTube Editor: Cyan CheungGraphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseWebsite: Patricia YoungPodcast: Angela WongSocial Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseTheme Music:"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria ★ Support this podcast ★

And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:11-12)We often expect God to speak in "thunderbolts"—booming voices, clear signs, or miraculous solutions. But the experience of Elijah teaches us that God’s voice is often a “still small voice” or a "gentle whisper." Pope Francis once reminded us that, "Lent is a favorable time to make room for the Word of God. It is the time to switch off the television and open the Bible. It is the time to separate from mobile phones and connect to the Gospel."In his message for Lent 2026, Pope Leo XIV highlighted two aspects: listening and fasting, and emphasized that Lent is a time of conversion. The Pope said, “Every path towards conversion begins by allowing the word of God to touch our hearts and welcoming it with a docile spirit. This year, I would first like to consider the importance of making room for the word through listening. The willingness to listen is the first way we demonstrate our desire to enter into relationship with someone.”Why does God whisper? Because He wants to be close. You don’t need to be close to someone shouting, but you must lean in to hear a whisper. This whisper is for intimacy—because only those close by can hear it. In our digital age, we are “polluted” and overwhelmed by too many messages; we struggle to distinguish the Lord's voice from the voice of the ego or the world. Only silence can cure this. As Pope Francis once said, Lent is a time for a "healthy ecology of the heart," cleansing us of useless chatter and gossip. By learning to clear away the pollution of gossip and useless words, we can better discern God's voice in the quietness we often ignore.God is not usually in the drama of the "earthquake" of our emotions. He is in the peace that follows. To hear Him, we must practice this "environmental protection of the heart." In this year’s Special Jubilee of Saint Francis, this whisper calls us to nature's simplicity, like St. Francis, to hear God not just in church but in the quiet of creation. When we stop making noise, we can start receiving His signal.Let us again listen attentively to the Word of God:And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:11-12)ReflectionDo you tend to look for God only in big events or crises? How can you look for Him in the ordinary, quiet moments today?What "useless words" or gossip can you fast from today to clear your hearing?When you are silent, what is the first feeling that comes up? Can you invite God into that feeling instead of running from it?Today’s PrayerLord, quiet my soul. I am tired of the wind, the earthquake, and the fire of my own anxieties. Help me to wait for Your gentle whisper. Teach me to value the "light breeze" of Your presence over the loud demands of the world. Lord, cleanse my lips and my ears, so that I may hear You. Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening…--------------------------------------------------The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: How Not to Miss God’s Voice?” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.Writer: Paul YeungProject Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa TseEditors: Bonny Chan, Rosa TseEnglish and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul YeungCantonese Narrator: Margaret WooEnglish Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AIMandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AIAudio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret WooYouTube Editor: Cyan CheungGraphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseWebsite: Patricia YoungPodcast: Angela WongSocial Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseTheme Music:"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria ★ Support this podcast ★

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. (Mark 1:35)If even Jesus, the Son of God, needed time alone with the Father, how much more do we? We live in an age filled with noise — endless notifications, constant messages,  and the habit of scrolling without rest. In a world so loud and crowded, as we are faced with information overload, it becomes difficult to hear the gentle whisper of God. And yet, we are also afraid of silence, because silence forces us to face ourselves. Pope Benedict XVI once reminded us that Lent is like a “long spiritual retreat,”  meant to help us re-enter ourselves  and restore the impetus of our evangelical life.In today’s Gospel, Jesus shows us the way. He places His relationship with the Father above everything else. He deliberately sets aside the best time of the day to be alone in prayer, conversing with His Father. While it is still dark, He rises and goes to a deserted place to pray. This tells us that listening to God requires discipline. But in our busy world,  we often pray only with whatever time is left over, and in doing so, we sacrifice both the time  and the depth of prayer.Sometimes prayer feels like a one-way monologue, as if God were silent. But the prophet Isaiah reminds us: God is the One who takes the initiative. He speaks, and His word always accomplishes its purpose. The problem is never whether God is speaking — the real question is whether our hearts are like fertile soil ready to receive the rain. So often, our hearts become hard and dry through anxiety, distraction, and habitual indifference.  The rain falls, but it cannot soak in, it simply runs off. Lent is the season to loosen the soil, to break free from unhealthy patterns, so that God’s Word can finally sink deep into our hearts.To keep God’s Word from returning empty, we must first turn down the volume of the world and step away from the channels that fill us with noise and restlessness. This is not an escape from reality. It is a search for the true channel that sustains us. Today, let us find our own “wilderness” — even if it is only ten intentional minutes without our phone, or a quiet corner in our home. This intentional silence echoes the spirit of poverty proclaimed in this year’s Special Jubilee of Saint Francis: a willingness to let go of our craving for information and entertainment, so that we may be satisfied with God alone.God longs for a personal relationship with you. He has a unique word for your life, a word that will never return to Him empty. Just as the Israelites received fresh manna each day in the desert, God’s Word is also given to us anew each day. Let us simply open our hands and our hearts to receive it, trusting that God’s Word has the power to fulfill His plan in your life.Let us listen to the Word of God once more:Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. (Mark 1:35)ReflectionWhat is the greatest source of “noise” in your life right now? How does it prevent you from hearing God’s voice?Jesus rose before dawn and went off to a deserted place, placing His relationship with the Father above all His ministry. Where can you go today to be alone with God?Are you willing to let go of your craving for information and entertainment, and be satisfied with God’s presence alone? Would you be willing to spend ten minutes each morning in silence with Him? What might stop you from doing so?Today’s PrayerLord Jesus Christ, thank You for reminding me today of the importance of being with the Father in silence, and teaching me to offer Him my best,  just as He has given His best to me.Holy Spirit, lead me into the silent wilderness. Help me disconnect from the noise of the world so that I may reconnect with the Gospel of Christ. Grant me the discipline to create space today — not for loneliness, but for communion with the Father. Teach me to understand that in silence I am not empty or alone, but filled by You. Help me to enjoy and cherish this sacred “date” with You my Lord in the wilderness.--------------------------------------------------The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: How Not to Miss God’s Voice?” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.Writer: Paul YeungProject Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa TseEditors: Bonny Chan, Rosa TseEnglish and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul YeungCantonese Narrator: Margaret WooEnglish Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AIMandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AIAudio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret WooYouTube Editor: Cyan CheungGraphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseWebsite: Patricia YoungPodcast: Angela WongSocial Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseTheme Music:"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria ★ Support this podcast ★

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11)This Bible passage should give us a powerful insight into God’s heart and His will.The Word itself possesses infinite power. The universe, all creation, and humanity were brought into being through the Word, and all created things are meant to obey God’s Word. Since our life and existence originate from the Word, should we not also live by the guidance of the Word?Just as the Word accomplished the work of creating all things and humanity—a great work of love—so too this same love God has for us urges Him to continually desire to nourish us with His Word, to guide us in living well, and to help us attain the fullness of life. The Word helps us journey through this life, supports us, and carries us so that we may successfully fulfill the Father’s plan for us, and one day return to the Father’s house to be reunited with Him and remain with Him forever.This Bible passage, in a gentle way, speaks of the Father’s deep and tender heart. It is worth savouring carefully and reflecting upon again and again.It warmly reminds us not to neglect receiving the nourishment and guidance of the Word. Its ultimate purpose is to bring about the fulfillment of the Father’s will in us, and to complete the mission for which the Word was sent into our lives.In this retreat, we will explore practical ways to listen to God’s voice in our daily lives so that we do not miss His personal messages meant for our growth and welfare. Drawing wisdom and inspiration from the Scriptures—God’s very words to us—we will reflect on how He continues to speak into our hearts.Throughout the retreat, we will also examine the inner dispositions that help us receive His Word more openly, and learn how to strengthen our “spiritual muscles” so we become more attuned to His Voice.Through these spiritual exercises and our shared journey, our ultimate goal is to deepen our ability to discern God’s will by staying attentive to His unique messages for each of us, as we navigate our lives and seek to understand the mission He entrusts to us.During this 40-day spiritual journey, we long to build a closer and more intimate relationship with the Lord together with you. Along the way, we will invite you to cultivate some new life habits, allowing the Word of God to enter into daily life and become an integral part of who we are. This requires our commitment and perseverance, so that these good habits may gradually reshape our lives and help us become more attuned to the Lord.We encourage you to invite a spiritual companion to walk this journey together, offering mutual support and encouragement, so that the new habits we form can be sustained. The goal of this retreat is to bring about a lasting impact on our lives, and these 40 days are only the beginning. We also encourage you to begin keeping a spiritual journal during this period, recording the messages and inspirations the Lord gives you. More importantly, write down the words He speaks to your heart and your response to Him.Since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020, Farmer of Hearts has accompanied many through a 40-day online retreat, supporting growth in spiritual life. Our team’s heartfelt desire is that, through sustained daily deep reflection, participants may be drawn ever closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, entering into a profound and intimate communion with Him. We look forward to walking this journey with you this year!Let us once again savour this Bible passage:For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (Is 55:10-11)ReflectionDo you long to hear God’s voice? What methods have you used to help yourself listen to His Word?Do you believe that God desires a personal relationship with you and wishes to give you messages that are intimate and uniquely yours? Why?Are you willing to desire more earnestly to listen to God’s voice? How will you prepare, both spiritually and practically, to put this desire into action?Today’s PrayerLord Jesus Christ, I sincerely thank You for touching my heart today through this passage of the Bible, allowing me to feel Your intentions and desire for me. Your powerful yet gentle invitation affirms Your resolve to nourish me with Your Word, to root my life more firmly, and to help it bear richer and more abundant fruit.I am willing to let Your Word enter my life, to reshape me and water the soil of my heart, so that Your Word may grow and take root within me. I will no longer let the words that come forth from Your mouth return empty, nor allow Your will to go unfulfilled, nor disappoint the love and hopes You have for me. May the Lord look kindly upon my desire!--------------------------------------------------The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: How Not to Miss God’s Voice?” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.Writer: Paul YeungProject Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa TseEditors: Bonny Chan, Rosa TseEnglish and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul YeungCantonese Narrator: Margaret WooEnglish Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AIMandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AIAudio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret WooYouTube Editor: Cyan CheungGraphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseWebsite: Patricia YoungPodcast: Angela WongSocial Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa TseTheme Music:"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria ★ Support this podcast ★