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

But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!” But not everyone has heeded the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what was heard from us?”  Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:14–17)

Today, we must recognize a profound truth: we no longer belong to ourselves. We belong to Jesus Christ, who redeemed us at a heavy price. Since we were created for a divine purpose, we cannot live merely for ourselves. We must take responsibility by no longer viewing our time, talents, and money as “our own,” but as resources entrusted to us by God—temporarily lent to accomplish His higher and greater purposes.

We are called to imitate St. John the Baptist. The prophet Isaiah foretold him as “a voice crying out in the wilderness” (cf. Isaiah 40:3–5), preparing the way of the Lord. Jesus Himself described John the Baptist as “a burning and shining lamp” (John 5:35), bearing witness to the truth. To become such a lamp today, we must continually listen to God’s voice, so that we may become instruments through which God speaks to others and to the world. If we truly desire to serve God, receiving direction from Him is not optional—it is absolutely essential. Consider Jesus in the Gospel of John: He repeatedly emphasizes that He does not speak on His own. He says, “The word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me” (John 14:24), and again, “The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works” (John 14:10). If even Jesus depended entirely on the Father’s voice, how much more must we? We must be courageous in speaking for the Lord and not suppress our witness, for the prophetic role is increasingly important in our time. God needs you to be His voice! Therefore, we must “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as you teach and admonish one another in all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16).

To live this out, in addition to God’s Word, we desperately need the Holy Spirit. Jesus instructed His disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit, who will teach us all things, enlighten us to understand God’s Word, and give us the strength to carry out Jesus’ teachings. The Holy Spirit helps us discern God’s will, examine our hearts, maintain spiritual sensitivity, and remain childlike before the Lord—living in complete dependence on God rather than acting independently.

However, words without action are dead. We must learn from Mother Mary, who both treasured God’s Word in her heart and acted upon it with the obedience of faith. In this way, we ensure that God’s Word does not return to Him empty! Here is the “obedience key”: God often gives the next instruction only after we have carried out the previous one. As the Psalm says, “Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when he delights in our way;” (Psalm 37:23).

As we read and meditate on God’s Word daily, it becomes our spiritual treasury. We store up the most precious riches, ready for times of trial, and we are equipped to share God’s love. Ultimately, as we fall more deeply in love with God, we reach a point where—even when we cannot clearly hear His voice—we can instinctively understand His heart and His expectations for us. We become like Jesus, praying with confidence: “Father, I thank you for hearing me. I knew that you always hear me” (John 11:41–42).

Looking back over these forty days, the key to achieving the goal of this retreat can be summed up in the motto of St. John the Baptist: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). The essence of this journey is the continual diminishing of the ego—letting go of the illusion that we are in control—and learning to rely completely on God.

In this regard, no one lived this more radically than St. Francis of Assisi. When God called him to “repair His Church,” Francis embraced the Gospel in the most literal way. To declare his total dependence on God, he stripped off his own clothes in the public square, handing them back to his earthly father along with his inheritance. In that profound act of surrender, he declared that from then on he had only one Father in heaven. By embracing absolute poverty and letting go of all worldly attachments, Francis emptied himself completely so that Christ might increase within him. In the end, he became “another Christ” (alter Christus), a living icon of Jesus.

As we conclude this retreat, let us fix our gaze on God’s dream: that His Kingdom will be firmly established in our hearts and solidly built in the world. We cannot accomplish this mission alone; we must carry it out in unity within the Church. Undeniably, the road ahead will bring many challenges and trials. Yet precisely because of our radical dependence on God, we choose to see His goodness even in adversity. We anchor our hope not in changing external circumstances, but in God’s unchanging character. Hold fast to your faith, believe in miracles, and let your lamp burn brightly for this world!

Let us once again listen carefully to this Scripture passage and allow it to take deep root in our hearts, transforming our lives:

But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!” But not everyone has heeded the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what was heard from us?”  Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:14–17)

Reflection

Jesus did not speak on His own. In my daily life, how seriously do I listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit before I speak or make decisions?

How does Mother Mary’s example of pondering God’s Word and putting it into action challenge my current prayer life?

In what practical ways can I imitate St. Francis today by letting go of worldly attachments and becoming a “lamp that burns and shines”?

Today’s Prayer

Lord Jesus, as this forty-day journey of grace comes to an end, I thank You for Your boundless love. You have redeemed me at a high price, and today I declare: I belong entirely to You. Pour out Your Holy Spirit upon me, that I may clearly hear Your voice and faithfully live out Your Word with the obedience of faith. Help me to remember always: “Faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.”

Grant me the courage of St. John the Baptist and the spirit of radical surrender of St. Francis of Assisi. May my ego decrease so that You may continually increase within me. May my life become a burning and shining lamp in this world, anchoring hope deeply in Your eternal and unchanging goodness.

Lord, use me to build Your Kingdom. May my life bear witness to Your Word, serving others and proclaiming the Gospel. Amen.

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Fundraising Appeal

Thank you for participating in this 40-day Lenten spiritual journey. We hope you have been inspired and have benefitted from it! For the spiritual benefit of all of you, Fountain of Love and Life devotes a lot of time and effort in producing various spiritual projects every year, and all our ministries are sustained by the generous donations of our supporters. We hope...

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)

The darkest moments in our lives are often when we can no longer hear God’s voice or feel His presence. When we feel that God has seemingly left us and no longer cares for us, that feeling is deeply unsettling. When our faith is put to severe test, God may at times appear extremely distant—so much so that He seems entirely absent.

When Jesus was hanging on the cross, He fully shared in this heart-wrenching human suffering. Out of compassion for our suffering, He took upon Himself the full weight of all the evil and sin in the world. At that moment, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, experiencing what felt like total abandonment. When God remains silent, the burdens we carry can feel unbearably heavy. Deep within, we may cry out: Does God care? Is He deliberately remaining silent? If He is God, why does He not break His silence and intervene?

But let us ask a deeper question: who is it that causes God’s silence? Among all created beings, it is we who are most capable—and most often responsible—for silencing God! Our indifference, our hardness of heart, our choices to pursue worldly attachments and turn away from Him, and our desire to detach ourselves completely and live independently of Him—all these build a wall that prevents us from hearing His voice.

Yet God is by no means a cold and indifferent observer. His Sacred Heart is continually pierced by our rejection. And what wounds the Father’s Heart most deeply is the immense suffering He endured in handing over His only Son for our salvation. If the Father loves us enough to endure the unimaginable pain of giving up Jesus, how can we think that He does not care about the struggles in our lives? When God sees us suffer—especially when our souls are wounded—His Heart is deeply pierced. Do we truly care about God’s feelings, and do we reflect on why He sometimes remains silent?

For our sake, both the Father and the Son went through an extremely painful process of “letting go.” The Father gave up His only Son, allowing Him to take on the brokenness of our humanity. As for Jesus, in order to fulfill His mission of redemption, He not only gave His life, but step by step relinquished all the “rights” of His humanity and divinity.

When He accepted the humiliation of the cross, He let go of His status and His divinity, not grasping at His equality with God. He consciously surrendered His own will and human preference, praying: “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). He let go of every possibility of saving Himself.

He also gave up His dignity, willingly accepting mockery, being spat upon, and being stripped naked—completely abandoning His right to be respected. When He was falsely accused, He remained silent, letting go of the right to defend Himself or demand earthly justice. Moreover, in His darkest hours, He gave up the comfort of His closest friends—who fell asleep, betrayed Him, or fled.

In the end, He faced the ultimate abandonment; as He cried out on the cross, He expressed the deepest human sense of desolation and forsakenness. He willingly bore the crushing weight of our punishment for sin, revealing to us the highest form of love.

Jesus’ journey to the cross is the ultimate archetype of “abandonment.” If God could abandon Himself so completely for our sake, why can we not do the same for Him?

We must embrace this spirit of "abandonment" which means complete surrendering to God. This is not a one-time decision, but a continual, daily process of diminishing the self to make room for God. What, then, do we need to let go of?

First, we must let go of our insistence on “understanding everything,” no longer demanding answers for every suffering. We must also let go of our reliance on feelings, recognizing that even when we do not feel God’s presence, He is still truly there. We need to relinquish our attachment to reputation, no longer seeking others’ respect and approval; and let go of our personal preferences, no longer insisting that everything be done “my way,” learning to release resentment when things do not go as expected.

We must also surrender our own timelines, no longer clinging to when things “should” happen. We need to let go of spiritual pride, abandoning the illusion that we can achieve “perfection” by our own efforts, and instead rely completely on God’s grace. Finally, we need to surrender all past regrets to God’s mercy, and let go of the illusion of control—tearing up the blueprint we have drawn for our lives, and allowing God to write a far more beautiful story for us.

When God’s silence becomes unbearable, let us look to the Cross. Jesus shows us that in the face of feeling abandoned, the ultimate response is not despair, but to surrender our entire lives—completely entrusting ourselves into the hands of the Father. By letting go of our need to take control of our lives, our rigid timelines, and our spiritual pride, our hands are no longer tightly grasping the things of this world, and can instead be filled with a greater grace—that is, God Himself. Let us courageously tear up the life plans we have written for ourselves, and return our broken yet beautiful lives to the God whose Heart was pierced out of love for us.

Now, let us gaze upon Jesus on the cross and listen to His cry to the Father:

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)

Reflection

In my daily life, how do my indifference, habits, or hardness of heart cause God’s voice to grow silent?

For my sake, Jesus gave up His rights, His dignity, and even His own will. What is the one “right,” “comfort,” or “attachment” I am most unwilling to surrender for Him?

When in my life have I most deeply experienced the “silence of God”? How did I respond at the time? After today’s reflection, do I have any new insights?

Today’s Prayer

Lord Jesus, when I face the agonizing moments of silence in my life, help me to remember Your piercing cry on the Cross. Forgive me for the many times I have, through indifference and hardness of heart, shut out Your gentle voice.

Grant me the grace to embrace Your spirit of total abandonment, and to trust wholeheartedly in the Father’s astonishing love. Now, I make the prayer of St. Ignatius my own:

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all I have and call my own. You have given all to me. To You, Lord, I return it. Everything is Yours; do with it what You will. Give me only Your love and Your grace, that is enough for me.

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Fundraising Appeal

Thank you for participating in this 40-day Lenten spiritual journey. We hope you have been inspired and have benefitted from it! For the spiritual benefit of all of you, Fountain of Love and Life devotes a lot of time and effort in producing various spiritual projects every year, and all our ministries are sustained by the generous donations of our supporters. We hope you will support us with prayers and donations. Please make an online donation using the button at the top of the website Lent.FLL.cc. Thank you very much for your support. God bless!

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 Yeung
Project Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret...

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” (John 13:34)

What does it really mean to love others “just as Jesus has loved us”?

Jesus did not simply issue this command from on high; He personally demonstrated it for us. He humbled Himself, took off His outer garment, wrapped a towel around His waist, and washed the dust from His disciples’ feet. If even God Himself is willing to kneel down and serve us in such an incredibly humble way, then we truly have no excuse not to do the same to serve one another. Yet what is striking is that the washing of feet was only the beginning. This act reveals to us what “Servant Leadership” truly is. As beautiful as this image is, it is only the relatively easier part.

Jesus then showed us the ultimate expression of His love: He stretched out His arms on the cross and gave His life for us! This perfect example fulfills His own mission statement: “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

This is the extent of love that Jesus asks of us. It is indeed incredibly hard, because it means we must be willing to sacrifice ourselves for others. But to truly live out this new commandment, we must not only embrace the call to self-sacrifice—we must also not “choose” whom we are willing to sacrifice for.

St. Paul reminds us in Romans 5:6–8 that Christ died for us while we were still weak and still sinners—this is how God proves His love for us. Furthermore, Jesus explicitly instructs us not to limit our service only to those we care about or those who “deserve” it. In Luke 14:12–14, He tells us that when we host a banquet, we should not invite our friends or wealthy neighbours who can repay us; rather, we should invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind—those who cannot repay us.

These are precisely the people Jesus is especially concerned about: the Last, the Least, and the Lost. Jesus teaches, “The last will be first” (Matthew 20:16); and that “whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40); and He came “to seek out and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Therefore, if we want to find Jesus, draw close to Him, and listen to His voice, we know clearly where He is: Jesus is present among the poor and the broken.

Yet we must honestly admit that Jesus’ standard is extremely high. Where can we find the strength to live this out? What motivation can move us to shift our focus toward others—to reach out in love—rather than being preoccupied with our own interests?

A “kind heart” or human willpower alone is not enough to sustain a life of service. If we rely only on ourselves, we will eventually run dry. The source of our service must be deeply rooted in Jesus’ perfect love. In fact, Jesus tells us that when we serve others, we are serving Him. We must use His Sacred Heart to serve Jesus through serving the least.

Therefore, the foundation of our self-giving must be firmly rooted in God’s love. Unless we remain in constant communion with Him and continually draw from His infinite love, we will quickly exhaust the “fuel” of our lives. If we do not carry the love of Jesus within us, we may serve for a while out of enthusiasm, but we cannot persevere. For we cannot give what we do not have. Without God, we are all weak and broken. We are fully capable of betraying Jesus like Judas, or denying Him three times like Peter when He needs us most.

Thus, we must continually return to the source:“Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near.” (Isaiah 55:6) Once you have truly tasted God’s love, everything you do will be utterly transformed.

A reflection by a Jesuit priest Fr. Joseph P. Whelan, S.J. beautifully captures this dynamic of love: “Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than Falling in Love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, whom you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.”

Now, let us truly sense how deeply we are loved, and listen again with new eyes to what Jesus says to us:

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” (John 13:34)

Reflection

In my daily life or community, who are the “last, the least, and the lost”? How is Jesus inviting me to serve them?

Do I unconsciously choose whom to love and serve based on “who can repay me” or “who is easier to love”?

What currently drives how I live each day and spend my weekends? What brings me joy and excitement? Is it God—or something else?

Today’s Prayer

Lord Jesus, You command me to love others just as You have loved me. I confess that on my own, I am so weak and broken. When the cross becomes heavy, I shrink back in weakness and may even betray or deny You.

Forgive me for choosing whom I love. Teach me to seek You among the last, the least, and the lost. I know I cannot give what I do not have, so I ask You to fill my heart with Your infinite grace. Help me to fall in love with You in the absolute and final way.

May this divine love shape my daily life, my choices, and how I serve others. Keep me always in Your love, now and forever.

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Fundraising Appeal

Thank you for participating in this 40-day Lenten spiritual journey. We hope you have been inspired and have benefitted from it! For the spiritual benefit of all of you, Fountain of Love and Life devotes a lot of time and effort in producing various spiritual projects every year, and all our ministries are sustained by the generous donations of our supporters. We hope you will support us with prayers and donations. Please make an online donation using the button at the top of the website Lent.FLL.cc. Thank you very much for your support. God bless!

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 Yeung
Project Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AI
Mandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AI
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editor: Cyan Cheung
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse

Theme Music:
"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist
"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19–21)

Yesterday we talked about the urgency of learning to listen to God’s voice before the “night” comes. Today, we must face another pressing and important task in life: learning to choose God above all things. And make no mistake, this is not easy at all.

Our life on earth is a journey of returning to the Father’s house. It is a long journey that requires gradual preparation, and therefore we must set out early. If we truly see our earthly life as preparation for eternal life, then the earlier we begin, the easier and better this journey will be. In order to learn to choose God above all things, we must learn to “let go.” Choosing God is, in fact, a lifelong practice of learning to let go. We must take it step by step, beginning with letting go of material possessions. Only through repeated practice in our daily lives can we master this essential spiritual discipline.

If our ultimate goal and destination is heaven, then we must take this matter seriously. Time is not in our hands. Most people spend their entire lives accumulating things—whether tangible or intangible. They devote enormous amounts of time, money, and energy to acquiring possessions. Yet sadly, when the end of life comes, they are forced to relinquish everything in a brief, stressful, and often painful moment. To be separated from the possessions they cherish is like a knife piercing the heart, because when the time comes, everything will be forcibly “taken away.”

When we try to listen to God’s voice, the material possessions and wealth we hold often become a deafening “noise.” Why is this so? Because they occupy our hearts. As Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) The spiritual “equation” is actually quite simple: the fewer worldly things we possess, the more space we have for God in our hearts. Consider this: if you continually maintain a habit of accumulating worldly possessions, then as you grow older, the noise created by these attachments will grow louder, while God’s presence in your life becomes increasingly faint. When your life comes to an end, you may suddenly find yourself stripped of everything—and yet still far from your ultimate destination, the Father’s house. At that point, the journey home, even if not impossible, will become exceedingly difficult.

In contrast, let us look at the saints who chose the better part. St. Francis of Assisi made a radical decision in his youth. Fixing his gaze on his ultimate destination, he stripped off his fine clothes, renounced his inheritance, and let go of all worldly security, choosing God alone. When he let go of everything, he instead received everything anew through God’s generous gifts. When he laid down the world, he was left with God alone—and precisely because of this, he possessed everything!

In fact, St. Francis longed to go ever further in possessing God, desiring an unceasing union with Him. Because his heart was not occupied by worldly things, he was able to find God everywhere: in nature, in animals, and in all created things. This state of “finding God in all things” was of utmost importance to saints like St. Francis and St. Ignatius. They desired that at every moment of their earthly pilgrimage, they might see, hear, and experience God. By remaining detached from worldly things, they greatly widened their spiritual channels, enabling themselves to receive God’s voice more fully.

Their sense of security was rooted entirely in the Father. Jesus Himself lived in this radical dependence. He acknowledged that “all that the Father has is mine,” (John 17:10) yet in this world He possessed nothing, even saying, “The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Luke 9:58). Jesus shows us that the true security of a child does not rest on material things, but on the inexhaustible resources of the Father.

As we gradually let go of our attachments in life, we are set free from worldly bondage. We learn to rely completely on God’s word and His providence. Our Heavenly Father is a generous provider; when we count on Him completely, He will grant us all that we need—and even more! Those who rely entirely on God, like Jesus, will have unique access to the Father’s Heart. And within the Father’s Heart, we will be able to hear His voice with perfect clarity.

This is the ultimate relationship we must begin to build with the Father while we still have time on this earth. Let us remember the tragic lesson of Judas, who chose the wrong path. For thirty pieces of silver—something fleeting—he gave up the Lord who could have been his ultimate eternal treasure. In the end, he lost everything. Today, let us make a different choice. Let us begin to practice “letting go,” so that in the end we may tightly embrace God.

Let us once again reflect carefully on the teaching of the Lord Jesus:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in or steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19–21)

Reflection

Which material possession or worldly security in my life produces the greatest “noise,” hindering my relationship with God? Am I willing to let it go?

What small and concrete act of “letting go” can I practice today to train my heart to choose God over worldly things?

How can I begin to “find God in all things,” so as to widen my channel to listen to His voice and deepen my ability to hear Him?

Today’s Prayer

Lord Jesus, I confess that my heart is often weighed down by the desire to accumulate worldly wealth. My attachment and greed for material things have become a deafening noise that makes it difficult for me to hear Your gentle voice.

Teach me to practice “letting go” throughout my life. Grant me the courage of St. Francis, that I may renounce what is unnecessary and rely solely on the Father’s providence as my true security.

Help me to find You in all things, and to encounter You every day and  everywhere. Lead me into the heart of the Father, that I may hear His voice clearly and be prepared for the glorious journey of my soul returning to my eternal home.

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Fundraising Appeal

Thank you for participating in this 40-day Lenten spiritual journey. We hope you have been inspired and have benefitted from it! For the spiritual benefit of all of you, Fountain of Love and Life devotes a lot of time and effort in producing various spiritual projects every year, and all our ministries are sustained by the generous donations of our supporters. We hope you will support us with prayers and donations. Please make an online donation using the button at the top of the website Lent.FLL.cc. Thank you very much for your support. God bless!

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 Yeung
Project Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English and Mandarin Editor...

“We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work.” (John 9:4)

Perhaps, as you look back on your life right now, everything appears to be going smoothly. You may not sense an urgent need or desire to listen for God’s voice. After all, you are doing well: you keep the Ten Commandments, attend Mass, and fulfill the basic duties of a Catholic. So what difference would hearing God’s voice really make?

To answer this question, we must first understand the very nature of God. Our God is a communion of love; His very essence is to live “for others,” completely self-giving, rather than self-serving. Created in His image, we are meant to share in this selfless nature. However, under the influence of original sin, and reinforced by a culture that constantly emphasizes self-centeredness, our hearts gradually lose their proper orientation and begin to turn inward. We become preoccupied with our own comfort and personal interests, allowing selfishness to dominate our vision.

But if we embrace the true calling to “serve others rather than ourselves,” everything changes. When you make yourself available to others and respond readily to their needs, God will surely provide you with greater guidance through His word. God created us with a sacred purpose. Fulfilling this purpose is not a one-time act, but a lifelong commitment that must be lived out day by day, in every present moment, with our whole being.

This brings us to the “duty of the moment.” You are placed in a specific time, in a specific place, encountering specific people for a profound reason. In every moment, there is a concrete duty waiting for us to respond—not to serve ourselves, but to serve others. God is a generous provider; He gives us exactly the resources we need to fulfill the duty of the moment, including our time, talents, charisms, and even material resources. Moreover, He grants us wisdom and direction, showing us how to use these gifts appropriately in each situation. This guidance is precisely God’s voice, prompting and leading us in various ways.

Remember that as a baptized Christian, you are called to share in Christ’s prophetic office. God desires to speak through you to others; this may take the form of a word of comfort, or guidance directed to an individual, a group, or even a wider audience.

How do we receive these messages? Sacred Scripture is the most reliable and objective way to hear God’s voice, because it is His Word. As you read the Bible, certain passages may suddenly “stand out” or speak directly to your current situation. This is the work of the Holy Spirit, who illuminates a “living word” for you. In response to the needs of others around you, or to your duty of the moment, God communicates with you through these timely illuminated passages. The Holy Spirit brings these words to life within you, filling them with power and making them deeply relevant to your present needs. This not only provides personal direction, but also imparts spiritual vitality.

Finally, we must recognize a profound sense of urgency—why we must learn to listen to God’s voice now. In the Gospel of John, Jesus reminds us: “Night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4). There will come a day when hearing God’s voice becomes extremely difficult.

Consider this: at some point in the future, our ability and capacity to pray, to listen, and even to connect with God may be severely limited by failing health or drastic changes in our circumstances. Imagine being caught in a war, struck by a sudden illness, or battling the inevitable cognitive decline of old age. When such moments arrive, physical suffering, inner fear, and helplessness can become overwhelming “noise” that nearly drowns out the soul. At that time, the spirit may be willing, but the body and mind may be too weak to focus.

The window of time we have now—to listen in stillness and to deepen our relationship with God in prayer—is far more limited than we realize. That is why today we must begin to build within our hearts a deep treasury of God’s Word. Treasure this present moment—while we can still listen clearly, read with ease, and serve actively with our strength. Today, listen attentively to God, so that when the night of life suddenly falls, His Word will already be deeply rooted within you, becoming an unshakable anchor in the depths of your soul, unafraid of any storm.

Let us reflect once more on the words of the Lord Jesus:

“We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work.” (John 9:4)

Reflection

Am I merely content with fulfilling basic religious duties, or do I actively seek God’s voice in order to serve others?

What is my current “duty of the moment”? Take time now in prayer to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit: in my life at this very moment, who needs me to be a prophet for them?

When I consider that “night is coming”—whether through illness, aging, or crisis—does this awareness become a turning point in my spiritual life, transforming how I see the urgency of listening for God’s voice?

Today’s Prayer

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times of complacency—when I remained at the level of external observance, yet lived inwardly self-centered and for myself. Awaken in me the prophetic mission I received at baptism.

Grant me the grace to recognize my “duty of the moment,” and give me a generous heart to serve every person You place in my life. Holy Spirit, enlighten Your Word for me; let the passages You choose come alive in my heart, guiding my actions and bringing comfort to those around me.

Lord, I know that night is coming, when both work and listening will become difficult. Grant me a sense of urgency, so that while it is still day, I may build a deep and abiding relationship with You.

--------------------------------------------------

Fundraising Appeal

Thank you for participating in this 40-day Lenten spiritual journey. We hope you have been inspired and have benefitted from it! For the spiritual benefit of all of you, Fountain of Love and Life devotes a lot of time and effort in producing various spiritual projects every year, and all our ministries are sustained by the generous donations of our supporters. We hope you will support us with prayers and donations. Please make an online donation using the button at the top of the website Lent.FLL.cc. Thank you very much for your support. God bless!

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 Yeung
Project Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AI
Mandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AI
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editor: Cyan Cheung
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse

Theme Music:
"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist
"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria

“Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.” (Revelation 3:20)

Very often, the greatest problem we encounter in spiritual communication is falling into the trap of “one-way communication.” When we are overly self-centred in our communication with others, we neglect their needs and feelings. Similarly, when in prayer we pile up our own requests, our own thoughts, and the outcomes we desire, there is no room left for God’s will. Nor do we pay attention to God’s feelings or desires. Our prayer then becomes a mere “routine task”—something done to meet our own needs, to fulfill an obligation, or to check a box—while completely losing its core meaning, which is to build a heart-to-heart, intimate relationship with God.

True communication, however, should foster the building of a genuine and sincere relationship. The same applies to our relationship with God. We must not only talk to God, but learn to talk with God. Christian prayer, in essence, is an encounter between God and man, where God's gift and man's acceptance of it are united in dialogue with each other. Prayer is a reciprocal call, a covenant drama that unfolds in our hearts.

If we truly desire to nurture such a relationship, we must show a genuine longing to know God. We should treat God like a real person. Just as in building friendships in this world, we must be attentive to God’s feelings, desires, and nature. Do not approach God each time focusing only on our requests and needs; try speaking with Him simply for the sake of building relationship, for the sake of companionship. Most importantly, do not keep talking endlessly without leaving any quiet time to listen to Him.

To build a good relationship with God, we need to know Him deeply—discovering His character, what He delights in, and what He dislikes. By observing in Scripture whom and what Jesus loved and disliked, we can avoid repeating mistakes and refrain from doing what disappoints God.

Like speaking with a close friend, we need to be fully attentive rather than distracted. Jesus does not delight in our divided attention or our inability to give Him our full presence. Do you remember Martha? Although she welcomed Jesus into her home, she became anxious and distracted by her many tasks, missing the opportunity to connect with Him. In contrast, her sister Mary sat at the Lord’s feet and listened attentively to His words. Jesus clearly stated that Mary had chosen the better part. (Luke 10:38-42) Lack of focus and a wandering mind in God’s presence is, in fact, a form of disrespect.

Jesus is also disappointed by those who lack gratitude. After He healed ten lepers, only one returned to praise God. Jesus expressed His disappointment: “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they?” (Luke 17:11-19) Furthermore, He dislikes empty promises—those who verbally agree to follow but fail to act. In the parable of the two sons, the second son said, “Father, I will go,” but did not go. (Matthew 21:28-32) Jesus made it clear that those who do not put their words into action are not carrying out the will of the Father.

Because relationships are two-way streets, God never forces His will upon us. He keeps His distance from the hard-hearted and the proud, like the Pharisees. Yet when our hearts are open—willing to listen and to follow—He is eager to speak to us.

On the other hand, what kind of people please Jesus? He delights in those who do the Father’s will, such as Mother Mary and St. Peter. He loves those who stay close to Him, leaning on Him, like St. John at the Last Supper. He especially cherishes those who are eager and ready to listen: the two disciples on the road to Emmaus whose hearts burned within them (Luke 24:13-35); and Mary of Bethany, who chose the better part (Luke 10:38-42); and even the young Samuel in the Old Testament, who simply said, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:1-10) delights our God.

If we truly desire to discover what pleases Jesus, Scripture offers countless examples. If you seek His guidance today, do not just listen, but be ready to obey and put it into action. As long as we have the desire and are ready, Jesus is always waiting to meet us. If we show genuine interest, He will speak to us, converse with us, and share His very life with us. Behold, He is standing at the door and knocking! Today, are you willing to open the door of your heart and invite Him in to dine with you?

Let us once again prepare our hearts and quietly listen to the invitation of Jesus:

“Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.” (Revelation 3:20)

Reflection

When I pray, am I mostly presenting my needs in a one-way manner, or do I leave space to listen to and truly “converse” with God?

How can I treat God as an intimate friend today, for example, by paying more attention to what pleases Him rather than only asking for favours?

If Jesus is standing at the door and knocking today, what specific fears or distractions are keeping me from opening the door?

Today’s Prayer

Lord Jesus, I confess that my prayer is often just a list of wishes and demands—a one-sided monologue. I speak to You but do not quiet myself to speak with You. Forgive me for being distracted and busy like Martha, for my lack of gratitude, and for the empty promises that lack obedient actions.

Soften my heart and teach me to seek a genuine relationship with You. Help me, through Your Word, to understand deeply Your desires, what You love and what You dislike. May I, like the young Samuel, carry each day the attitude: “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.”

Today, I hear You knocking at the door of my heart. I am willing to open it wide. Lord, come in and dine with me, and teach me how to love You as a true and intimate friend.

--------------------------------------------------

Fundraising Appeal

Thank you for participating in this 40-day Lenten spiritual journey. We hope you have been inspired and have benefitted from it! For the spiritual benefit of all of you, Fountain of Love and Life devotes a lot of time and effort in producing various spiritual projects every year, and all our ministries are sustained by the generous donations of our supporters. We hope you will support us with prayers and donations. Please make an online donation using the button at the top of the website Lent.FLL.cc. Thank you very much for your support. God bless!

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 Yeung
Project Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AI
Mandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AI
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editor: Cyan Cheung
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse

Theme Music:
"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist
"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88key...

“But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)

If we truly desire not to miss God’s voice and not to let His words return to Him empty, we must first establish a clear and open channel of communication with Him. Secondly, His words must have a tangible impact on our lives. If either of these conditions is lacking—or if both are absent—then God’s words will not be able to take root and grow in our hearts.

There are many factors that can disrupt this communication, some of which we have already explored earlier. Today, let us go deeper into the nature of God’s messages for us. If we can form the right expectations, we will be able to tune the “channel” of our hearts more precisely and thus not miss the words God has prepared for us.

In order for God to communicate with us in more ways, we need to expand our spiritual horizons. We must be prepared not only to allow God’s word to comfort and console us, but also to mold us, train us, and empower us. We must even allow Him to challenge us, prune us, and yes—surprise us! If we are determined, like Jesus, to obey and carry out the will of the Father, then we must be fully prepared for all of these.

How, then, do we prepare our hearts? We must “expect the unexpected.” Because God’s ways are far above our ways, we need to prepare our hearts to receive a calling that is greater and higher than anything we could imagine. If we exclude everything that lies beyond our expectations or outside our “comfort zone,” we are in fact limiting what God can accomplish through us. Subconsciously, our limited thinking and our desire for comfort become a filter that blocks out God’s voice, making it extremely difficult for us to hear the message He has personally prepared for us.

Consider the profound astonishment and awe that the Blessed Virgin Mary experienced at the Annunciation and at the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. If her heart had not been prepared to receive the unexpected surprises—indeed, even shocks—of  God’s unfolding plan, she might have completely missed His words or worse, ignored and rejected it. Yet, as beautifully captured in the Gospel of Luke: “But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)

Mother Mary pondered all that happened during Jesus’ birth and childhood, treasuring these experiences by contemplating their deeper meaning. By “treasuring all these words in her heart,” she acted as a faithful custodian, preserving the memories of these sacred encounters. By “pondering on them,” she did not just accept them passively, but actively sought to understand the profound significance behind everything surrounding Jesus’ life. By piecing together different events—the joyful mysteries, the difficult trials, and the inspirations she received from God—Mary found great consolation and unshakable faith in God’s unfolding words, even amid uncertainty and hardship.

Through these virtues, Mother Mary cooperated perfectly with God’s grace. She allowed the Holy Spirit to take full possession and lead her through all the overwhelming challenges she faced as the Mother of the Saviour. Mary is our perfect model: she never missed God’s voice, nor did she allow His word to return to God empty.

Let us compare her example with our own lives. Those who insist on remaining within their comfort zone tend to rely solely on themselves, handling problems only within the limits of their own abilities. As a result, their dependence on God is greatly weakened. God’s active presence and involvement in their lives are hindered. They find it difficult to allow God to guide and empower them, let alone surrender to Him. In such a walled-off state, God’s gentle yet unexpected promptings are inevitably missed or ignored.

Today, let us ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to teach us the art of “treasuring” and “pondering” in our hearts. Let us tear down the high walls of our comfort zones so that God’s unexpected, challenging, yet glorious words may take root deep within us.

Let us once again listen to and keep this Gospel message in our hearts:

“But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19)

Reflection

How does my comfort zone act as a filter that blocks out God’s unexpected callings?

When God’s words challenge or prune me, do I reject them immediately, or do I, like Mary, ponder them in my heart?

How can I incorporate Mary’s habit of “treasuring and pondering” into my daily prayer routine, so as to piece together God’s gradually unfolding will?

Today’s Prayer

Loving Heavenly Father, I confess that I often confine Your voice within my narrow comfort zone. I filter out Your unexpected calls because I fear the challenges, the pruning, and the transformation You have prepared for my spiritual growth. Forgive my self-reliance, which hinders Your Holy Spirit from working freely and guiding me in my life.

Today, I ask for the grace to imitate the Blessed Virgin Mary. Grant me a receptive and teachable heart, that I may keep Your word within me and ponder it deeply, seeking Your higher ways.

Lord, shatter my illusions of control. Mold me, train me, and empower me, so that I may step out of my comfort zone with courage and faith. May I joyfully embrace the unexpected paths You set before me, and in faithfully carrying out Your will, find profound peace and trust. Heavenly Father, I place my full trust in Your perfect plan.

--------------------------------------------------

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 Yeung
Project Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AI
Mandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AI
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editor: Cyan Cheung
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse

Theme Music:
"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist
"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria

“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7)

Yesterday, we learned to be like Jesus, taking the will of the Father as our true “food”—moving from verbal response to concrete and obedient actions, as revealed in the Parable of the Two Sons. Today, we take a step further by adjusting our hearts to align with God’s frequency: by cultivating “contentment” and “gratitude,” we pave the way toward perfect obedience and quiet the anxieties and unrest that harden our hearts.

There is a timeless Chinese saying: “Contentment brings lasting joy.” Why is this so? Because a content person focuses on what they have rather than what they lack. They no longer fall into comparison or cling to a sense of entitlement—like the elder son who grew resentful toward God out of envy. Instead, they embrace an inner disposition of “what I have is enough.” As a result, life becomes simpler: distractions decrease, noise diminishes, and one’s energy can be focused on what truly matters. Discernment becomes clearer, and God’s voice is more easily heard. All of this is closely related to “gratitude,” for gratitude is the foundation of living out contentment—it leads us to recognize that everything comes from God.

St. Paul teaches us: “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7) From this, we see that anxiety hinders our obedience, while gratitude opens us to the peace that guards our hearts, enabling us to align with God’s frequency. As the Psalm says: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name.” (Psalm 100:4) In this stillness, the “small, gentle voice” can be heard.

Gratitude deeply enhances our spiritual capacity to listen: it activates a sincere and interactive relationship with God; calms stress, anxiety, and bitterness, allowing the heart to be at peace; grounds our faith in God’s past goodness and faithfulness, helping us trust in His promises today; and leads us into His presence—where His voice is most clearly heard.

To cultivate this openness of heart and prepare ourselves to listen to and obey God’s voice, here are five practical daily habits:

First, begin the day with gratitude: Upon waking, before any worries enter your mind, give thanks to the Lord. This sets a foundation of openness for the day, resisting anxiety from the outset and guiding us toward obedience, as gratitude brings inner transformation.

Second, keep brief sensory notes: Three times a day, use your senses to note one gift—for example, the warmth of sunlight on your skin, the chirping sound of birds, or the aroma of coffee. This practice roots us in the present moment, where God is speaking here and now, shifting us from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance and nurturing a contented heart.

Third, make gratitude the focus of prayer: In prayer, spend most of your time giving thanks rather than just making requests. Recall specific graces, allowing your heart to resonate with God’s gifts.

Fourth, practice gratitude under the guidance of the Holy Spirit: Intentionally pray, “Holy Spirit, what do You want me to be grateful for today?” Then listen in stillness. This allows the Spirit to guide our gratitude, quiet our inner noises, sharpen our sensitivity to the gentle voice, and deepen our trust in God’s providence.

Fifth, conduct an evening examen of gratitude: At the end of the day, review your day—thank God for three things, recall one act of obedience you carried out, and entrust everything to Him.

As we consistently practice these habits and allow the Holy Spirit to work within us, we will gradually notice a transformation in our relationship with God.

A grateful disposition is the foundation for hearing God’s voice, because it shifts our inner state from one of fear and scarcity—marked by contraction and closure—to one of expansion and receptivity. When we choose to focus on God’s nature rather than our immediate difficulties, our hearts become “tuned” to His frequency, making us more sensitive to His true presence.

Let us once again listen to St. Paul’s teaching:

“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7)

Reflection

What anxieties are currently hindering me from walking the path of complete obedience? How can I replace these anxieties with gratitude?

Have I overlooked any of the graces God has given me today? If I give thanks for them, how might that help me cultivate a contented heart?

What concrete and practical daily habits will I adopt to make my life more filled with contentment and gratitude?

Today’s Prayer

Heavenly Father, like the elder son in the parable of the prodigal son, I often stand outside, filled with resentment, anxiety, and ingratitude—demanding what is mine, yet failing to rejoice in Your gifts. Forgive me, for I have forgotten to enter Your courts with thanksgiving, and I have allowed a mindset of scarcity to obscure Your abundance. Today, I choose to respond to Your call—not with worry, but by presenting my needs to You in prayer and petition, with praise and thanksgiving.

Soften my heart, fill me with Your peace that surpasses all understanding, guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus, and teach me true contentment. Help me to be grateful for Your past faithfulness, Your present blessings, and Your promises for the future.

Holy Spirit, reveal to me what I ought to be grateful for in this moment, so that I may, like Jesus, listen to You fully and obey You completely.

--------------------------------------------------

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 Yeung
Project Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AI
Mandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AI
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editor: Cyan Cheung
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse

Theme Music:
"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist
"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria

“‘I have food to eat of which you do not know.’ … ‘My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work.’” (John 4:32, 34)

In this retreat journey, we have been learning together how to tune our hearts to God’s channel—allowing hardened paths to be softened, turning back from the state of the prodigal son who has drifted away from God, and imitating Mary of Bethany and St. Francis in choosing the one thing necessary with radical detachment. In contrast, the elder son’s hidden sense of entitlement and envy separates us from the Father. Today, Jesus reveals to us the most perfect “tuning”: to let our whole being—mind, heart, and spirit—be fully aligned with the Father’s will, so that His will becomes our deepest desire and our daily food.

Imagine the scene after Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well. The disciples urged Him to eat, but He replied, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” (John 4:32) The disciples remained at a worldly level of understanding, but Jesus revealed the truth behind His words: “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work.” (John 4:34)

For Jesus, true nourishment is not bread or rest, but perfect obedience to the Father—the fulfillment of His will to save humanity. This desire drove Jesus throughout His entire public ministry. When He taught us to pray, He said in the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). In the agony of the garden of Gethsemane, He prayed, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus also reminds us: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21) Words alone are empty; only by doing the Father’s will can we enter the Kingdom. The life of Jesus is a complete and unwavering “yes”—a total obedience to the Father’s will.

When we contemplate the heart of Jesus, we clearly see God’s desire: that our will be united with His, and that our desires be shaped by His plan. Yet knowledge alone is not enough. We may know the right words and be familiar with spiritual practices—prayer, service, devotion—but do we truly live out our faith?

Jesus illustrates this with the Parable of The Two Sons: A father asks them to work in the vineyard. The first says, “I will not,” but later repents and goes; the second says, “I go, sir,” but does not go. Which one did the father’s will? It was the first, who acted (Matthew 21:28–32). Without sincere action that stems from the heart, verbal or external obedience is meaningless. True sincerity lies in obedience, not in appearances.

This reveals an important truth about our relationship with God: faithfulness is mutual. God faithfully fulfills His promises, and we are called to respond faithfully to Him. A true relationship is built on living out God’s Word, not letting it return empty. Consider this: if you were a father, which son would you trust more—the one who promises but does not act, or the one who repents and follows through? What God desires are children who take responsibility for their role, imitating Christ’s perfect obedience. To listen without responding is futile.

This is the key point: a well-tuned heart does not just listen—it desires, acts, and completes God’s work. Let us put aside empty words and embrace concrete action. In daily life—persevering in prayer, serving the marginalized, forgiving our enemies—we must not only say “yes” with our lips, but live out that “yes” with our lives. Let our “yes” be united with Christ’s. This Lent, let God’s will become your food. Then your softened heart will become a vineyard bearing eternal fruit.

Let us listen attentively and interiorize Jesus’ teaching with a spirit of obedience:

“‘I have food to eat of which you do not know.’ … ‘My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work.’” (John 4:32, 34)

Reflection

What in my life prevents me from treating God’s will as my true “food” as Jesus did?

In what situations am I like the second son—saying “yes” to God with my words, but failing to act?

Am I content with merely hearing God’s voice, or do I long, with an obedient heart, to let His Word bear fruit within me?

Today’s Prayer

Heavenly Father, Jesus treated doing Your will as His food and perfectly completed Your work of salvation. Align my desires with Your will; tune my heart so that I may be in harmony with You. Forgive me for those empty words of “Lord, Lord” and for the commitments I have failed to fulfill.

May I be like the first son—repentant and willing to act in sincere obedience. Grant that in my daily life I may respond to You faithfully and obediently. As You are always faithful to me, may I also be faithful to You.

May Your Word not return empty, but bear fruit in my softened heart. Make me a child who truly longs for and lives out Your will.

--------------------------------------------------

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 Yeung
Project Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AI
Mandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AI
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editor: Cyan Cheung
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse

Theme Music:
"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist
"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria

Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, “Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” (Luke 15:28-30)

We have journeyed together through the hardened path in the Parable of the Sower, seeing how the prodigal son openly left home in pursuit of independence, distancing himself from his father, and how, through Mary of Bethany and St. Francis, we learned the decisive choice to select the one necessary thing. Today, we encounter the older son; his story reveals a subtler state of a hardened heart.

The parable tells us: “Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’” (Luke 15:28-30)

On the surface, the older son appears very faithful. He stayed at home, obeyed the commands, and worked diligently. Yet his heart gradually became like compacted soil, and a mentality of entitlement crept in. He believed he deserved special rewards for his good deeds. When his younger brother received mercy, the urge to compare and envy arose in him. Rather than rejoicing at his brother’s return, he grew angry with his father.

This is the hidden trap that many of us easily fall into. We may have faithfully served in the Father’s house for years without realizing that a subtle illusion has formed: we assume that by praying fervently, serving in the church, or striving to be good, God is “obliged” to grant us good health, success, and blessings. So when we see others seemingly receiving more blessings, we begin to calculate and compare. Envy slips in—when we see others being blessed, we not only fail to rejoice with them, but we feel sadness, or even greedily desire to claim that grace for ourselves. (CCC 2553) The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that envy is one of the seven capital sins. It arises from pride, is a refusal of charity, and causes resentment toward God, even leading one to accuse God of unfairness or favouritism. (CCC 2540)

The evil one exploits this very point to isolate us. Even if our bodies remain in the Father’s house, our hearts may have drifted away. We no longer listen to the gentle voice of the Father; and the seed of God’s word falls on this hardened path and is quickly taken away. Some who have served in the church for years may unknowingly experience this state themselves. Outwardly, they continue to fulfill their duties, but inwardly, they feel that God owes them more, and disappointment gradually hardens into indifference. The Father’s request, like the plea the father in the parable made to the older son, goes unheeded.

St. Thomas Aquinas points out that envy stems from vainglory; it is a false sense of self-worth built on comparison that leads to hatred, detraction, and sorrow over the prosperity of others. Yet, love envies no one. The remedy lies in contentment, humility, and rejoicing in others’ blessings, which gives glory to God.

Therefore, we must carefully examine our own hearts. If envy and a sense of entitlement remain hidden within, even outwardly good behaviour and fervent religious life are insufficient. Today, our heavenly Father, as the father in the story pleaded with the older son, extends an invitation to us. Will we refuse to enter the feast of mercy and compassion, or will we allow Him to soften our hearts?

True conversion is acknowledging our complete dependence on God’s grace rather than relying on our own merits. When we let go of comparison and live with gratitude, the hardened, trampled path can be transformed into fertile soil, allowing God’s word to bear abundant fruit. Let us respond to the Father’s plea, enter His house, and celebrate together in joy.

Let us calmly listen to what the Father wishes to say to us:

“Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.” (Luke 15:31–32)

Reflection

Do I feel entitled to more blessings from God because of years of service or piety? What steps can I take to change this mindset?

Have I compared myself to others and felt sadness or anger at their blessings, revealing envy in my heart?

Have I felt anger at God for what seems like “unfair” treatment? Has this unspoken anger unknowingly closed my heart, making it increasingly difficult to hear His voice?

Today’s Prayer

Father, I thank You for helping me realize that I am like the elder son, often standing outside with a heart full of anger and resentment, feeling entitled to be rewarded for my efforts. I confess that pride and envy have hardened my heart, and blinded me to Your generous love. Forgive me for constantly comparing myself to others and for doubting Your fairness.

Today, I willingly accept Your loving plea. Soften my heart, remove all sense of entitlement, and fill me with true charity, so that I may rejoice in every blessing You bestow upon others.

Grant me a humble heart, so I may understand that everything is grace and not a reward. Let me enter this feast with joy and once again attentively listen to Your words of love.

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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 Yeung
Project Managers: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English and Mandarin Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: “Leyton” - Murf.AI
Mandarin Narrator: “Natalie” - Murf.AI
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editor: Cyan Cheung
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Clara Chang, Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse

Theme Music:
"Long Distance" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@IntrovertPianist
"Sea of Memory" by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria