Just a few years ago we all were users of phone booths. We will walk long distances to look for one to make our calls. It was common to find people in queue waiting for their turn to make calls. Then all of a sudden there seem to be an explosion of cell phones, putting to ashes phone booths.
It is common these days to see people with all kinds of cell phones and their accessories which make it easy for people to talk on the phone while doing something else. With the ease that cell phones have brought to modern life, there are still “dead spots” with the usual out of coverage area cliché of service providers. There are also high call drops rates especially in Ghana. These make each service provider come up with their own marketing slogans just to prove themselves better than the others in the market.
In our use of phones we encounter some level of displeasure at the call drops or lost of network. We struggle with it and inquire from our friends at the other side who have difficulty in hearing us, “can you hear me now?” (This can also be the other way around). How frustrated we become even if our inquiry “can you hear me now” does not go through. But someone has been asking that question for a very long time now with great patience. He has been asking this since THE FALL.
In Genesis God enjoyed taking a walk with man in the garden. After they sinned God sent them out of the garden but he never cut the line of communication. Through the Old Testament, he kept speaking to man through the Patriarchs, Prophets judges and the Priest of Aaronite descent. But there was a problem with the “networks’ as he used these people. This was because they did not fully understand the message they carried and needed the message themselves.
But in the fullness of time, God sent his son Jesus Christ to teach us and redeem us. In sending Jesus God asks us again “can you hear me now?” In Jesus Christ he makes himself so clear that there are no dead spots.
Jesus left behind a sacrament of himself so to keep himself present to us so we can maintain a better communication with God. We take him in communion to be one with him. By this he takes control of our abilities and accomplishes Gods work in us.
Through the Bible and the teachings of the church, God keeps asking “can you hear me now?” 2 Tim 3:16 says “all scripture is inspired by God…” the Bible is a holy book because it contains Gods holy word which gives direction to our lives. The church as the body of bride of Christ nurtures us as a mother by her teachings and sacraments.
God also speaks to us through other people, a word in a song might strike us great way. It is God asking “can you hear me now?” In the same way God speaks to us in the homily at Mass. More importantly, through the testimony of others about the way God has shown them love and mercy. Rev 12;11 says they overcame him( the devil) … and the word of their testimony”. In the testimony of fellow Christians God is asking “can you hear me now”.
God’s transmission is always strong and is everywhere like his presence. You could be up in the sky or down in the deepest part of the sea. He will reach you there. If you doubt me ask Jonah (cf Jon 1; 2). If you are not hearing him, the problem is with your reception not Gods transmission.
A cell phone user can take action for a better reception; leaving a building, repositioning or moving away from an object creating the interference. This can make a difference between a quality conversation and being disconnected. Similarly we need to take steps to improve our spiritual reception. This might mean changing our location or avoiding objects of interference.
Each of us has his object of interference; for the prophet Elijah it was fear at a certain point in time (cf1Kings 19:1 – 18). Moses has as many as five. (cf Ex 3:11-15)
We must put ourselves in the position to hear Gods voice. Regular Mass attendance and participation in church activities would help shut out all distractions. Regularly visiting the sacrament of penance and reconciliation and the reception of communion would encourage voice recognition.
It would be helpful then to be active in the activities of the groups we belong. And if you do not belong to one find one it is very important for a better reception of Gods voice.
“CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW” God is asking you today.
NAOMI ARNOLDS
By Fr. Delight Arnold Carbonu
