{"id":4444,"date":"2026-03-22T07:00:05","date_gmt":"2026-03-22T13:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cstrinity.org\/?p=4444"},"modified":"2026-03-22T14:51:53","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T20:51:53","slug":"lent-day-33-psalm-118","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cstrinity.org\/esp\/lent-day-33-psalm-118\/","title":{"rendered":"D\u00eda 33 de Cuaresma: Salmo 118"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Opening Prayer: Psalm 118:1-14<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

1 <\/sup><\/em><\/strong>Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/em><\/p>\n

2 <\/sup><\/em><\/strong>Let Israel say:
    \u201cHis love endures forever.\u201d
3 <\/sup><\/strong>Let the house of Aaron say:
    \u201cHis love endures forever.\u201d
4 <\/sup><\/strong>Let those who fear the Lord say:
    \u201cHis love endures forever.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/em><\/p>\n

5 <\/sup><\/em><\/strong>When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;
    he brought me into a spacious place.
6 <\/sup><\/strong>The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?
7 <\/sup><\/strong>The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
    I look in triumph on my enemies.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/em><\/p>\n

8 <\/sup><\/em><\/strong>It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in humans.
9 <\/sup><\/strong>It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in princes.
10 <\/sup><\/strong>All the nations surrounded me,
    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
11 <\/sup><\/strong>They surrounded me on every side,
    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
12 <\/sup><\/strong>They swarmed around me like bees,
    but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;
    in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
13 <\/sup><\/strong>I was pushed back and about to fall,
    but the Lord helped me.
14 <\/sup><\/strong>The Lord is my strength and my defense[<\/sup><\/em>a<\/sup><\/em><\/a>]<\/sup><\/em>;
    he has become my salvation.<\/em><\/p>\n


<\/p>\n

A Closer Look: John 8:46\u201359<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Hearing the Voice of Truth<\/strong>
During this season of Lent, we are called to examine our hearts and listen more closely to the voice of Christ. In John 8:46\u201359, Jesus confronts those who question His authority and resist His words. He declares, \u201cWhoever belongs to God hears what God says.\u201d This passage invites us into a deeper reflection on what it means to truly hear and respond to the truth of God\u2014a central theme in our Christian formation.<\/p>\n

In the Wesleyan tradition, spiritual formation begins with God\u2019s grace awakening our hearts. John Wesley called this prevenient grace<\/em>\u2014God working in us even before we fully recognize Him. Yet grace also invites a response. Jesus\u2019 listeners struggled to receive His words because their hearts were not open to the truth He revealed. During Lent, we are reminded that hearing God\u2019s voice requires humility and repentance. We must be willing to let go of pride, assumptions, and habits that prevent us from recognizing Christ\u2019s authority.<\/p>\n

Jesus goes on to say, \u201cWhoever obeys my word will never see death.\u201d This promise speaks not only of eternal life but of a present transformation. We understand that salvation is both forgiveness and<\/u> renewal. Through sanctifying grace<\/em>, the Holy Spirit reshapes our hearts so that obedience becomes an expression of love rather than mere duty. As we listen to Christ and follow His teaching, our lives are gradually formed into the likeness of His holy love.<\/p>\n

Yet the passage also reminds us that following truth can bring tension. Jesus\u2019 claims challenge the expectations of His audience, especially when He declares, \u201cBefore Abraham was born, I am.\u201d In these words, Jesus reveals His divine identity. To accept Him means surrendering control and trusting that God\u2019s truth is greater than our understanding.<\/p>\n

For Wesley, growth in holiness happens through practices that open our hearts to God\u2019s voice\u2014the means of grace<\/em>: prayer, Scripture, community worship, and acts of mercy. Lent is an invitation to return to these rhythms. As we listen to Christ through Scripture and prayer, the Spirit helps us discern truth and respond with faithful obedience.<\/p>\n

Lent reminds us that Christian formation is not simply about gaining knowledge but about learning to hear and follow the living Word. As we listen more deeply to Christ, His truth shapes us into people whose lives bear witness to the transforming power of God\u2019s grace.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

God\u2019s Voice:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n