Our prayers recently have included two interesting
references to voice. In the first instance, Judith says to God, “Let every
creature serve you, for you spoke, and they were made. You sent forth your
spirit, and they were created; no one can resist your voice” (Judith 16:14).
This verse was an appropriate meditation in the days after
Sr. Johnette Putnam’s death, because she heard and responded to God’s voice at
a very early age, entering her Benedictine community at age 15 years. She served
God and her Benedictine family faithfully until her death at age 84 years, and
as the stories about her life indicate, God’s “lively spirit” dwelled within
her.
Many of us do attempt to resist God’s voice, because we
believe it is counter to our own will. Eventually, even if it is not until we
are on our deathbed, we realize that we truly cannot resist the voice of the
one who created us. As Sr. Johnette’s life illustrates, the earlier we listen to
that voice and respond, the more time we will have to fashion a meaningful life
of service and enjoyment of God’s friendship.
The other reference to voice in this week’s prayer was “The
Lord bends to my voice whenever I call” (Ps 116:2). Apparently, we humans aren’t
the only ones called to listen; God listens to us as well. That’s a rather
humbling thought. However, it’s probably what gave Sr. Johnette the courage to
take on the responsibilities of being prioress of her community, president of
St. Scholastica Federation, and director of Sophia Spirituality Center, among
other ministries. She showed us that responding to God’s call and trusting that
we ourselves can call on God is the formula for a remarkable life.
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