A Listening Ear
Today’s Readings - AM Psalm 25; Deut. 6:10-15; Heb 1:1-14; John 1:1-18
Have you noticed how incredibly filled with words our world has become? There is a pod cast for every subject, satisfying every listener’s taste. And unfortunately, a great deal of what is trending tends toward anger. The expression of every feeling, every political, religious, or other viewpoint is available twenty-four hours a day. Thanks to social media, not only can you find a video on how to knit a baby blanket, but you can also express your most vile, angry thoughts for all the world to read.
The abundance of words, negative and positive, reminds me of the importance of listening. One of the first things I learned as a social worker was that if I was talking, then I wasn’t listening. Glen McDonald, in his Morning Reflection quotes the book of James, “. . . Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:19-20). “Quick to listen,” is likely to be one of the most valuable pieces of advice any of us can receive. McDonald seems to endorse James’ advice when he writes, “We can master the power of the pause – waiting for someone else to speak. We can listen carefully, paying fierce attention to others instead of thinking ahead to our next amazing comment.”
Today’s gospel reading from John, may be one of the most succinct of all bible verses: “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.” In that one short sentence the author establishes what many authors have written entire books trying to communicate. The succinct clear way this is expressed is unparalleled. Logos, Greek for “word” means mind, speech, or communication. Jesus spends a lot of his ministry talking, communicating the thoughts, and actions of God. Jesus is expressing the ways we can love others. He is the Word from before time so yes, he talks but Jesus also listens and when he does, he responds in a thoughtful, compassionate way. If all talk was as valuable as what Jesus has to say we would do well to refrain from ever speaking again so that we never stop listening. As it is we must discern what is worthy of our attention and what isn’t.
Howard Thurman, from his book Meditations of the Heart, writes, “Give me the listening ear. I seek this day the ear that will not shrink from the word that corrects or admonishes . . . the word that holds up before me the image of myself that causes me to pause and reconsider – the word that lays bare the needs that make my own days uneasy, that seizes upon every good decent impulse of my nature, channeling it into paths of healing in the lives of others.” May we desire a discerning heart that seeks not to only hear with the listening ear of God but also speak from a thoughtful heart.
Faithfully,
Sally+
Questions for Reflection - How might we put on the mind of Jesus when we listen? When we speak? When was the last time you prayerfully considered what you were going to say and how it might be impactful either in a constructive or hurtful way?