Psalm Reflection: The Third Sunday of Lent - Cycle A

“If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” - Psalms 95

“IF.”

I find it to be one of the most terrifying words used in Scripture. It implies that there is a possibility we may not. It is not “when” we hear God’s voice, but “if.” 

You and I may not hear Him. That does not mean that the Lord is not speaking, because He is always speaking. “If” means that we may never allow ourselves to hear Him.

As someone who talks to God every single day, the thought of being without that is terrifying, but it is a daily reality for so many people in the world who are searching, empty, unfulfilled, and alone. If someone is so desperate and miserable, why can they not hear God’s voice? Simply, because they are not listening. 

There is so much noise in the world today that it can sometimes feel impossible to hear God. We are inundated with entertainment, music, podcasts, news, pundits, posts, videos, moves, shows, and every other form of distraction we can imagine. These things are not inherently bad, but when they get in the way of us hearing the Lord’s voice then we have a problem.

Lent is about entering into the desert to withdraw. During the season of Lent we intentionally get away from the noise, the chaos, and the routine to reorient our hearts and souls to a new rhythm of life that will lead us closer to the Lord. It is in the quiet of the desert, without noise or distractions, that we can finally hear the faint whispers of God’s voice. It is not a whisper because He is quiet, but because we have yet to learn how to hear him clearly. 

“Listen and attend with the ear of your heart." - St. Benedict

If you talked to someone every single day and got to know them very well, you could probably hear their voice calling out to you in a loud, crowded room. We can better hear the voices of people we spend time together on a consistent basis. 

If we want to hear the voice of God, we must do our best to eliminate the distractions that prevent us from hearing Him, and then we must spend time with Him in prayer every single day so we can begin to learn the sound of his voice.

However, the Psalmist reminds us that hearing His voice is not the only battle, but, when we do, we must not harden our hearts. This is the difference between hearing and truly listening with an obedient heart. I hear people say things all the time, but that does not mean I let what they say affect my own life, my behavior, or my choices. With God, however, my listening must compel me to change, to respond with docility and a malleable heart.

I think this is the problem most Christians have when they say, “I do not hear God.” I think what they really mean is, “I do not hear God saying what I want Him to say.” Anyone who is remotely living the Christian life is placing themselves in environments where God is clearly speaking, and no one is so distracted or oblivious that they do not feel the slightest tug in the direction God is leading. The tensions arise because we are stubborn. We like to be in control and know how things are going to unfold. We fear change and the unknown, so we want a guarantee that everything will work out in a comfortable way if we say yes.

That is not how the Lord works. We cannot only give a half yes to God and decide to change on our terms. We must give him everything. T.S. Eliot said that Christianity is, “a condition of complete simplicity, costing not less than everything.”

We can  harden our hearts to the Lord’s voice when we are immobile or unable to break out of our preconceived notions. We must be willing to sacrifice our comfort and control in order to respond to Him. We must deny ourselves and focus on what we can give, rather than what we are getting (or not getting) from the Lord.

How then, do we hear God’s voice and keep our hearts from hardening?

Prayer.

Fasting.

Almsgiving.

If we do not spend time with the Lord, we will not learn to hear him.

If we cannot deny ourselves of distractions, we will not recognize his voice.

If we cannot focus outside of ourselves, it will become more and more difficult to soften our hearts to the Lord’s will.

If I could write an alternate version of this Psalm, it would go like this:

“Hear the voice of the Lord today, and soften your heart to His will.”

I pray that this Lenten season is one that creates plentiful opportunities for us to do just that.

Where do I notice the small word “if” stirring holy fear or urgency in me, and how might God be inviting me to respond today rather than “someday”?

What are the three loudest sources of noise in my life right now, and which one is the Lord asking me to silence so I can hear Him?

When have I recently sensed a faint whisper from God and then explained it away, delayed, or negotiated a “half‑yes”?

Do I approach prayer mainly to speak or to listen? How will I make time this week to “attend with the ear of my heart” in silence?

Which attachment to comfort, control, or certainty most hardens my heart, and what concrete act of surrender is God asking of me?

In what ways do I want God to say what I want to hear? How can I practice docility so His word, not my will, sets my course?

How are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving specifically re‑tuning my heart this Lent? Where is one of these three being neglected?

What form of fasting from media or chatter would most clear space for God’s voice in my daily rhythm?

Whom is God inviting me to notice and serve so that almsgiving softens my heart from self‑preoccupation to mercy?

I am praying for you. Please pray for me and my family, and I will see you in the Eucharist.

Matt

This reflection is based on the Responsorial Psalm for this Sunday, March 8th, 2026, the Third Sunday of Lent: Psalms 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9.