Listening to God

 

In the first few years of our lives as children, we were taught how to speak. We were taught to speak little words and small sentences by our elders. When we were uttering words gradually, we were hailed for our accomplishment of trying to express by them. In fact, learning to speak is an important developmental milestone. It is a sign that indicates that we were growing and developing normally.

 

At the same time, listening is also a crucial skill that we were called to acquire since our childhood. Some educators define “listening” as one of the basic building blocks of language and communication. They also have stated that particularly in the early years of education of children, listening is one of the main vehicles for their learning. According to some other thinkers, skill of listening is an indispensable skill in helping one to communicate better. Unfortunately, this important skill of listening is often overlooked by parents, elders, and even by some educators and persons in leadership positions.

 

It is true that we were all taught to listen to our parents, teachers, and elders. However, few of us were taught good listening. This is why listening is not always easy for certain adults. And it takes time to learn good skills of listening and also it can be a challenging task. Listening really requires being for the other during that period fully present at least to some extent. The effects of listening patiently with an attentive and receptive heart to others are very therapeutic. Almost every one of us yearns to be heard by others. In that sense, we can imagine how important the skill of listening as a Christian service when others need to open their hearts to tell their stories.

 

Also, listening to God is an important part of Christian life. God desires to speak to us and we have the privilege of listening to Him. When it comes to listening to God, it requires a choice to shut out the chaos around us and focus on Him. Judeo-Christian Sacred Scriptures note that God hears the cry of the poor. And so, He is a God who listens to our helplessness and yearnings.

 

Same way, God also calls us to listen to Him. For us to hear the voice of God requires a listening heart. The art of listening to God invites us to a realm that can make us bit uncomfortable, which is the realm of silence. Listening to God in silence is one of the core attitudes of those who are opened to the living word of God. Samuel, Kind David, Joseph the husband of Mary, and Mary the Blessed Mother were devout biblical figures who listened to God obediently. Because of the obedient listening of Mary the Virgin Mother of God, the Word of God became flesh in her womb or our sake.

 

— Fr. Niranjan Rodrigo, Ph.D.