THE WHISPERING VOICE

Why is it that the younger generation doesn't have time for church or for God? Usually, you'll hear from them or their parents that they are too busy. It is true many of them are working and studying at the same time, and some of them are involved in sports as well. But trainers, teachers, professors, and bosses, don't ask them if they have time; they just expect it. On the other hand, God's friendly call (because He knows all our needs and duties) to spend some time with Him is often not listened to or possibly even thought a violation of our freedom. Why not spend free time having fun instead of meditating and praying? But what a mistake this is. Why is it that people ignore that sweet and soft Whispering Voice of God?

Let me tell you a real life story about a young man who at first ignored the voice; but later, when he was taken down to practically nothing, responded to its call:

This young man lived in Bosnia years ago when it was still a part of former Yugoslavia. He lived the typical secular life of kids of that time. His idols were from TV shows like Beverly Hills 90210 and sports heroes like Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan. He didn't care about God or His Church. He had the typical worldly dreams so many young people have--the good life, fancy cars, girls, and so on.

Then one day all of that changed dramatically for him--civil war came to Bosnia and created suffering all around. He didn't care at first: he was 20 and invincible. That was until the situation starting touching him personally. First, the girl he loved left him because he wasn't the "right" nationality. Then many of his friends turned their backs on him for the same reason. The world was turning upside down before his eyes. People who before were friends changed to enemies, and unbelievable hatred came between them. That's what a civil war brings.

The young man began to feel very, very lonely. And because he did not want to fight on any side, he decided to leave his town and his country. He had to hide from the police who were looking for any man capable of carrying a gun to conscript them for the war.

He sought refuge in a shelter. But even there he was miserable. He was starving, cold, depressed, and very afraid. He knew either way, fratricidal war or jail, things would be terrible. In those lonely and frightening days, he began thinking about life and death, about everything that was going on around him. Then one day he decided he didn't care about his life anymore, and he ran away from the madhouse that hiding had become. He was quickly caught and jailed. Jail was even more depressing and dangerous than the shelter. So once again he took a chance and escaped the jail.

Everything after this is the classic refugee story. After a few years, when he was finally safe, he realized all along God had been protecting him and leading him with His Whispering Voice. With this realization, he chose to be baptised and committed his life to serving God and His Church.

Today he is so grateful to the Lord, who lead him through all those dangerous situations and temptations. On that day when he had been so afraid for his life and miserable in the shelter, then realized there had to be something stronger than hatred, fear, and hunger. He knew now that God had been watching over him. He realized we should not be so concerned about our mortal bodies; they can perish any time. But our immortal souls, that's what we have to care about! Because we all have to give our lives back to God the Father one day, and, in that moment, we will be accountable for the condition our souls.

I pray to God that every human being, especially young people, will learn this truth as soon as possible without having to endure suffering to learn it. We all need to open our ears, eyes, minds, and hearts and respond to that Whispering Voice of God.
Amen