How Listening to God Has Shaped History

Have you ever wondered how listening to God can shape your life—and even the world? Sr. Mary Grace, Sr. Magnificat Rose, and Sr. Cora Caeli explore the pivotal moments in Scripture where the ways key figures listened and responded to God’s voice shaped the course of salvation history. Learn how listening to God's voice opens the door to trust, joy, and transformation in your life. 

Scripture Verses

Adam & Eve in the Garden (The Fall & Hiding)

Genesis 3:8–10

And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden at the breeze of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?”.

Genesis 3:8

And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden at the breeze of the day…

Patriarchs Listening & Responding “Here I am”

Genesis 22:1

After these things God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”

Genesis 46:2

God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob!” And he said, “Here I am.”

Exodus 3:4

When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”

1 Samuel 3:4–10

Then the LORD called Samuel. And he said, “Here I am.”
(Samuel repeatedly responds “Here I am” as God calls.)

Isaiah 6:8

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

Noah Building the Ark

Genesis 6:13–22

And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh; for the earth is filled with violence through them; behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. … And Noah did all that God commanded him.”

Genesis 7–9 — The continuation of Noah’s obedience and trust.

Abraham & the Stars (Promise of Descendants)

Genesis 15:5–6

And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed the LORD; and he counted it to him as righteousness.

Israel’s Lack of Trust in the Wilderness (Book of Numbers)

Numbers 11 — Complaints about hardship.
Numbers 13–14 — Refusal to enter the Promised Land.
Numbers 20:2–13 — Rebellion at Meribah.
(The “seven rebellions” mentioned in the episode fall within Numbers 11–21.)

Trusting in God's Goodness

Romans 8:28

We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.

The Visitation- John the Baptist leaps for joy at Mary's greeting

Luke 1:39–45 (RSV)

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Challenges of the Week

• Ask the Lord for the grace to listen more deeply to his voice, and specifically ask for the grace of gratitude. Bring to the Lord the following question:Who has gone before me in my life, whose "yeses" led me to faith and inspired me to believe and trust in the Lord's goodness and love? 
• Don't be afraid to lean into dialogue and deeper conversation with the Lord. Don't look for answers in shallow ways–AI chat boxes can give you quick answers, but they can never provide the knowledge and wisdom that only comes from a relationship with God.
  
• Live in reality and trust that God is using all the circumstances of your life for a greater plan— the good, the bad, and the ugly.