Lenten Campaign 2025
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Have you ever been frustrated that you cannot see God or hear his voice?
This is a common difficulty in prayer. The saints will often write about how frequently they listen to God and the specific words that he speaks to their soul. Then when we go to pray -- and, we hear and see nothing!
Why can't we see or hear God?
The blind cannot see and the deaf cannot hear
Theophilus of Antioch provides some insightful words in a book addressed to Autolycus that is featured in the Church's Office of Readings.
He begins by framing the common situation of those seeking God in prayer:
If you say, "Show me your God," I will say to you, "Show me what kind of person you are, and I will show you my God." Show me then whether the eyes of your mind can see, and the ears of your heart hear.
Theophilus then goes on to explain how God will only reveal himself to those who have the capacity for him:
God is seen by those who have the capacity to see him, provided that they keep the eyes of their minds open. All have eyes, but some have eyes that are shrouded in darkness, unable to see the light of the sun. Because the blind cannot see it, it does not follow that the sun does not shine. The blind must trace the cause back to themselves and their eyes. In the same way, you have eyes in your mind that are shrouded in darkness because of your sins and evil deeds.
He further reflects that, "A person's soul should be clean, like a mirror reflecting light. If there is rust on the mirror his face cannot be seen in it. In the same way, no one who has sin within him can see God."
Desiring holiness
This is why the saints so easily saw God and heard his voice. They kept their soul as clean as they could, by frequently going to Confession and striving to lead a life of virtue.
The saints weren't perfect, but a key attribute they possessed was the desire for holiness. They wanted to expand their capacity for God and to reflect God's light as much as possible.
If you are unable to see God or hear his voice, God is not the problem. The problem lies within our hearts and perhaps how attached we are to the things of this world. Consider taking your problems with prayer to a trusted spiritual guide. And in the mean time, strive to live virtuously.
