- July 31, 2020 Spirituality
Hearing is Not Listening or Understanding —Mt. 13:13
By Sister Janet Teresa Muehlbauer
On the morning of the second Sunday in July, as I sat in the dining room at the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Motherhouse during brunch, I saw the trees outside swaying their branches laden with leaves and knew my heart’s desire was to enjoy this wonderful gift of a cooler day. I hadn’t been outside for several days due to high temperature and humidity.
Soon I was sitting near the labyrinth under the shade of a tree that gave me cool air as it responded to the call of the wind. I felt so blessed to be there where I had a great view of the Mississippi River and watched the tugboats push their cargo up the river.
My thoughts returned to my morning reflection on the Gospel about not listening to the word of God— Mt. 13:13. I was reminded of my time spent at St. Joseph Parish in Hawaii. Our parish priests were from Belgium and English was a second language for them. When they spoke the scripture readings and homilies, I quit listening as I couldn’t understand them. I had to relearn the art of listening to the Word of God.
Still today, when it comes to listening to the scriptures, I often “turn it off.” I don’t listen and do little reflecting. I have read and heard them so many times that I feel I already know them so well. Again, I have to relearn how to listen and to understand the Word of God.
So I ask myself the following questions:
- How do I listen today?
- Do I pray to the Spirit of Wisdom before reading scripture?
- Is my heart open and desiring to hear the Word of God?
- Do I reflect and act on the reading?
- Do I think I know this reading since I’ve heard it many times and don’t need to listen?
- Do I have a readiness to receive the Word of God?
- How do I listen to the dear neighbor?
I believe ground work must be completed to receive the seed of God’s Word. If the ground is not tilled, it remains hard and the wise farmer knows the seed cannot be sown. The soil must be prepared before the farmer plants the seeds.
Come, Holy Spirit of Wisdom, teach us to open our hearts to listen and understand the Word of God in scripture and in the dear neighbor.