I recently read the following quote on a bookstore bookmark: “The best form in which to worship god is every form.” The words are credited to the Hindu guru, Neem Karoli Baba. While I am not familiar with him or his teachings, I will say that I was pleased to discover a spiritual offering in the midst of the secular world.
I may not share the same faith as this guru, but we share the view that we are all called to seek God’s face and listen for his voice in everything. A sacramental worldview leads one to seek God in our daily lives: in our prayer lives to be certain, but also in our work, our play, our interactions with others, and in the world around us.
When I asked my students to tell me how they see God, I was very touched by some of their responses. Several stated that they see God when people are getting along or treating others with kindness, while another stated that they see God when people forgive one another. Many children said they recognize God in nature and others identify that even human-made items such as furniture have originated from natural resources and the ideas and skills given to humans by God.
I read stories of parents being protected in car crashes and of near-misses on the road. One student shared that he sees God in new babies and that when babies are premature or ill, it reminds him of the miracle of the gift of life. Another told me about a time that he prayed to see a sunrise while on vacation and then “just happened” to wake up right as the sun was rising; he thanked God for his answered prayer, aware that God is present in his life.
I am trying to help these children articulate what they already know intrinsically: God is all around us. We are called to seek him and rely on him in good times and in bad times. Worship, as Neem Karoli Baba reminds us, is not just for church or times of private prayer; worship is for all times and places, for God reveals himself in many forms. How often do we get caught up in ourselves and fail to notice him?
Psalm 95, which we will sing on the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, reminds us that worship is twofold. We must not only seek God; we must also listen to him. The words, “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts,” stress the fact that recognizing God in the world is important, but we are also called to listen to the ways in which we can glorify him and allow our hearts to develop and share his goodness with others.
One of my students admitted that if she were to think of God’s voice as a phone call, she sometimes lets the phone ring without picking it up. I, too, can think of times when I let the phone ring. I can become preoccupied with what I’m doing, or I feel that I know myself better than anyone, failing to surrender decisions and challenges to God in prayer.
In 1 Samuel 3, we hear the story of young Samuel, who heard the voice of God but did not realize who was calling him. Three times, he heard God’s voice and each time he obediently went to Eli saying, “Here I am.” When Eli finally realized that it was God calling Samuel, he encouraged Samuel to respond with the words, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Sam 3:9). This guidance led Samuel to a life open to God. Like Eli, we must not only answer God’s call ourselves, but lead others to him, as well.
Parents, grandparents, godparents, and catechists are called specifically to help children develop sacramental worldviews; however, we are all called to lead everyone of every age, faith, and background to God. Our actions - and inactions - have the power to reveal God to others. Furthermore, our words - and our silences - have the potential to open others’ hearts to hear God’s voice.
Let us worship God in “every form” and be ready to answer his voice with open hearts and the words, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”
Share your thoughts and contribute to the ongoing conversation by sending us a Letter to the Editor.