Reflection for February 1, 2009

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

All our readings today speak of LISTENING. As we are all well aware, there are many voices in our world that call out loudly and constantly, making it difficult to listen to the voice of God. Yet, it is often those other voices that seem to have the power to catch our attention. But which of the voices do we heed, do we focus our attention on, do we choose to act upon? What affects our choice?

We have been reminded time and again that our God desires to be known, to be recognized. God’s desire is so passionate that God speaks to us perseveringly through people, events and circumstances.

Our Psalm response today offers us a challenge.  “If today you hear God’s voice, harden not your heart”. Perhaps the real question is: “Do we really expect to hear God’s voice in our daily lives?” If we do, then how do we prepare ourselves to LISTEN?

To LISTEN and to LISTEN deeply for God’s voice, in the midst of the chaos and cacophony of sounds that continually invade our consciousness, is an art. It is an art that involves our willingness to be PRESENT. Like most art forms LISTENING is a discipline that calls for commitment to daily practice.

Gazing at Jesus and his daily experience, what do we observe? His days were spent in the midst of throngs, jostling and clamoring for attention to their particular needs. Do you ever ask yourself, “How was he able to be present, compassionate and so understanding?” Or have you found yourself wondering, “What did he listen for, what enabled him to hear not only what was spoken but was left unsaid, to whose voices did he paid attention?”

This LISTENING is heart LISTENING. It is a listening that requires an attentiveness with our heart and to the movements in our heart. It is a choice, a way of being. 

Like Jesus we are called to times apart for silence and solitude, to grow our capacity for listening -- a capacity that in turn changes and informs our manner of speaking, of responding.

Reflection by Sister Margaret Ellen Burke, SC