Is God Really Talking to Me?
A Reflection for Ordinary Time.
A Message from the Pew
by Joe Marateo
As I sit in the pew on Saturday’s or Sunday’s, surrounded by familiar faces and sacred silence, I find myself wondering, Is God really talking to me? In a world full of noise, distractions and uncertainty, it’s a question many of us ask, even while sitting just feet from the altar. We hear the readings, we sing the hymns, we listen to the homily but sometimes, God still feels far away.
So how does God speak to us?
The answer isn’t always a booming voice from the clouds or a miraculous sign. More often, God speaks in ways that are quiet but powerful. God uses Scripture as his PA system as “All Scripture is inspired by God…” (2 Timothy 3:16). When we hear God’s Word proclaimed at Mass, we are not just hearing ancient stories. We are hearing God's voice which is alive and active as he speaks directly to our hearts each day.
Through the Eucharist Jesus said, “This is my body, given for you” (Luke 22:19). In the Eucharist, God is not just talking, He is giving Himself to us in the most intimate way possible. Sitting silence “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10). Sometimes, the silence between the prayers or during personal reflection is where God speaks most clearly. The pew becomes a place not just of sitting, but of listening.
Additionally, God often speaks through the people around us, whether a priest, a friend, or even a stranger. “Whoever has ears, let them hear.” (Matthew 11:15). Through our hearts Catechism reminds us that the heart is the place of encounter. That tug on your conscience? That moment of peace during prayer? That’s not a coincidence. That may be the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit.
We are currently in Ordinary Time in the Church calendar. Unlike Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter, Ordinary Time doesn’t center on a particular mystery of Christ, but that doesn’t mean it’s unimportant. “Ordinary” comes from the Latin ordinalis, meaning “ordered” or
“counted.” This is a season where we grow. It’s the time when the Church invites us to listen more carefully, to live the Gospel more fully, and to draw us closer to God in the everyday rhythm of life.
If you’re asking "Is God really talking to me?" The answer is YES. He’s been speaking all along. The question becomes: Are we listening?
So the next time you sit in the pew during this Ordinary Time, lean in a little more and open your heart a little more. God doesn’t always shout. He whispers. And those who listen with faith will hear Him loud and clear.
Enjoy the summer.
Joe Marateo