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We need to remember, God is not only spoken of, but spoken to!
Devotional 
Thoght of the Day:
20 Some Greeks were among those who had gone to Jerusalem to worship during the festival. 21 They went to Philip (he was from Bethsaida in Galilee) and said, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” John 12:20-21 (TEV)
Cross-references
“In the future, foreigners who do not belong to your people Israel will hear of you. They will come from distant lands because of your name, 42 for they will hear of your great name and your strong hand and your powerful arm. And when they pray toward this Temple, 43 then hear from heaven where you live, and grant what they ask of you. In this way, all the people of the earth will come to know and fear you, just as your own people Israel do. They, too, will know that this Temple I have built honors your name.1Ki 8:41-43 —
They contain living doctrine and combine a theologian’s depth with the evangelical clarity of a good shepherd of souls. With Monsignor Escrivá, words turn into a colloquy with God—prayer—but without ceasing to be a heartfelt conversation completely in tune with the concerns and hopes of his listeners. The homilies are, therefore, a lesson in doctrine and in Christian life in which God is not only spoken of but spoken to. Perhaps it is in this that the secret of his great power of communication lies, because he always refers to the love of God as “looking at God without needing rest or feeling tired”
This is a unique year for me, very unique.
This year I will see a generation of pastor’s ordained. Eddie already has been, Ted will be in less then two weeks, Mark will follow him. Others are in the pipeline, Albert, Patrick and Jeff. I have another cohort of deacons within reach of being commissioned, growing a crowd of guys who I’ve been blessed to teach over the years. It is odd and blessed feeling, seeing guys who were once my students become pastors.
As they preach and teach, I pray that they realize the words above. The words from the gospel, where those who were not God’s people longed to not just hear about Jesus but to meet Him. The precious words of Solomon who prayed and prophesied about that, noting that it was not only okay for those outside of Judaism to pray to God, but that was part of the purpose of the temple. To pray and know God, to be in awe of Him, to dwell in His glory.
That is their job, to help people not just hear of Jesus, but to hear Him. To do this, these pastors and deacons need not just speak about Jesus, but they need to model speaking to Him and leading others in that conversation.
The Christian religion is full of wonderful wisdom, great advice about how to live, to know peace, to care for those around you. As those tasked with preaching and teaching the people of God, we have an incredible amount of doctrine. The stuff is amazing and awe-inspiriting. The wisdom is beyond comprehension.
But even the demons know it…..
What needs to be know is the attitude of God towards man, something that comes from not just hearing sermons and Bible class material as if it is a biology course or a lecture in Philosophy. This requires that we have to preach differently, to share the awe of knowing we are loved, deeply, as a dear friend, as a beloved child. To say something that many find uncomfortable, we must help them know that they are known and loved, intimately, by God.
The ministry will demand much of these men, as it does the other pastors, priests and deacons I know. It will tire you, cause stress in every part of your life. To remember that God is not only spoken of, but spoken to regularly. Spoken to individually, and corporately, as we lead the people of God.
Escriva, Josemaria (2010-11-02). Friends of God (Kindle Locations 150-154). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.
