You cannot hear the radio if it is not tuned correctly and other stations keep coming in. You cannot truly love a husband or wife if you have desires of attachment for another. Likewise we cannot hear God unless we tune into Him. If we are constantly chattering away and/or constantly looking around, our minds are filled with many pictures and sounds at the same time and cannot focus on God.
This is why Christ speaks to me of the second condition for happiness: take up My yoke His yoke is the cross. Only those who embrace it can penetrate into those innermost places where He reveals Himself intimately. Human nature does not like self-denial; the very word jars. But it is the message we hear over and over from God. Mary tells us to practice self-denial at Lourdes and at Fatima. Pope Pius XII broadcasted this same message over and over again.
Prayer begins to deepen as soon as the soul makes consistent efforts to practice self-control _ to curb the desire to speak; to restrain the eyes; to go without even small comforts: a piece of gum, or the funny papers; to resist the temptation to ask questions to satisfy mere curiosity. In a thousand ways the soul learns, in the school of the divine Master, how to take up His yoke, denying itself, first in small ways, and little by little resolving to refuse God no sacrifice.
Where shall I find His yoke today? First of all in His Ten Commandments and in the duties of my state in life. And in that person I do not like, towards whom I regularly adopt an attitude of intolerance or cynicism. Suppose I went out of my way today to do him a generous deed, to say a cheery word. Shall I find the yoke in the boring school work waiting for me? Or in the chores I have to do at home? Where? I know. I foresee. Let me not miss the chance. It will not be repeated.
Then I shall recognize Him when my eyes are turned away from the glitter of this world's tinsel. Then I shall find it easy to speak to Him, when I have taught myself silence. Then shall I be able to hear His voice when I avail myself of every opportunity to plunge my soul into solitude. Then shall His light illuminate my mind when I deliberately switch off all lesser lights. Then shall my soul be made a house of prayer when the buyers and the sellers are driven forth. Then shall He reign in the kingdom of the soul when the idols who dispute His sway shall have been thrown from their niches and broken on the floor. Then, unquestionably, will follow rest to the soul. So He guarantees.
But I am afraid, Lord; give me courage. I am inconstant, Lord; make me steadfast. I am even doubtful, almost skeptical _ to my shame be it said; Lord, convince me.