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

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)

Reflection

In 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 Prayer

Lord 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.

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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

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)

Reflection

Have 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 Prayer

Merciful 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.”

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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

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)

Reflection

How 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 Prayer

Merciful 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.

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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

“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)

Reflection

Do 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 Prayer

Lord 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.

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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

“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)

Reflection

Examine 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 Prayer

Holy 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.

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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

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)

Reflection

What 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 Prayer

Lord 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.

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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

"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)

Reflection

Are 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 Prayer

Merciful 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.

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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

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)

Reflection

Do 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 Prayer

Lord, 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…

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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

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)

Reflection

What 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 Prayer

Lord 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 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

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)

Reflection

Do 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 Prayer

Lord 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!

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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