Voice of God

Nehemiah is a 15-year-old boy who lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His track record shows that he has never been in conflict with the law. He is not a juvenile delinquent nor had he any history of trouble. Investigators say that his home did not have any emergency calls recently. Practically, he lived with loving, caring parents in a wholesome family environment.

But last January, this teenager was arrested for murder by the police. He is charged in connection with shooting both his parents and three younger siblings. Police describe the scene of the crime as “horrific” with victims having multiple gunshot wounds.  Authorities, in fact, found multiple weapons including an AR-15 style semiautomatic rifle near the scene of the shooting. The killings came after another shooting incident in a school where a gunman, with a legally purchased high-powered rifle, left 20 young children and six adults dead.

What is alarming is the boy’s eemingly lack of remorse  for what he did. He even sent a picture of his mother’s dead body to his girlfriend, went to church and lied that his family had died in a car accident. He would have wanted to drive on a populated area for a shooting spree. He admitted doing this out of “frustration with his mother.” His relatives are also in the dark as what triggered this senseless tragedy. Something went terribly wrong somewhere to this bright and talented youth that resulted to this unimaginable crime.

In play Hamlet, Shakespeare wrote: “Conscience does make cowards of us all!” In this instance I ask myself: where did this boy have the guts to pursue a terrible thing? Why did his conscience not make him a “coward?” But on reflection, it certainly happens to any of us when we commit wrong decisions. Something goes wrong as if our lights are turned off. It is like a mental blackout or psychological malfunction. This is part of the mystery of evil in us and in the world. We, all, are drawn by a strong tendency to evil. In Jesus’ parable of the weeds, the servant noticed the presence of weeds growing among good seeds. This led to the confirmation of the owner of the field: “the enemy did this!” (Mt13:28).

Yet in the midst of the confusion, there exists a compelling compass that indicates what is right from wrong. This small voice that God has placed in each person’s heart is the conscience, independent from each person’s reason. It is a natural moral indicator. One can ignore or obey it. Choosing to ignore it, however, creates a gnawing feeling of discomfort because it judges our acts according to the standard of universal ethical principles.

One problem we can observe today is the numbing of the conscience in certain people. The repeated refusal to heed its voice has made people de-sensitized. Instead of listening, they insist on their own subjective judgment. They opt on what is pleasing and pleasurable. It becomes a judgment of convenience. Naturally, the results can be devastating and even damaging to them. Crimes are committed. Injustice is done. The blurring of the lines between good and evil are erased. Rationalizing becomes the name of the game. This results to moral relativism.

There is, therefore, a need to educate and sharpen the sensitivity of our conscience. We re-format it  through a conscious act of inner conversion of heart. We expose it to the powerful grace of the Holy Spirit who is our light and strength. The Pentecost was a unique experience of the apostles. It brought light and understanding in their minds. Through it they felt fire in their hearts. They were filled with extraordinary enthusiasm and love for God. It gave them amazing courage that moved them to become witnesses of Jesus.

Our times will also need this new fire from the Spirit. Let us ask Him to strengthen our weaknesses, give light to our consciences constantly and infuse us with so much love and passion for the Kingdom. Though evil is real, God’s presence is more powerful in our lives! We just need to listen to God’s voice more.