Listening; not just hearing!

THE WORD AND THE SAINT

October 4, 2022: Celebrating St Francis 
Galatians 1: 13-24; Luke 10: 38-42

What strikes us in Paul's narration of his Christ experience is his readiness to perceive Christ inspite of his totally opposed prior experience. That was possible because of his capacity to Listen. 

Mary of Bethany was considered wiser than her sister Martha in her choice because she chose to listen to the Lord inspite of all the excitement involved. She preferred to sit there listening to go around minding a hundred tasks.

Listening forms an indelible and fundamental part of a true spiritual existence. Listening is not merely an act, but an attitude; hearing could be an act, but listening in a disposition. It is a way of being, that we manifest from within. We can hear but still not listen - the indication that I have listened to something, not merely heard it, is the change that it would bring about in my concrete life - in thought, word and deed. How prepared are we to listen to the Lord, to the Word from the Lord. 

Today we have another great example of someone who listened, who listened with his entire heart... and transformed his life so radically that he became an inspiration for multitudes to transform themselves. St. Francis of Assisi underwent an experience of Christ that was no less than that which Paul had. Francis opened his ears, his heart and his mind so willingly, readily and sincerely that he became a light burning so bright already in his life time. Today he continues to be a challenge to the consumeristic and materialistic world... standing for a life of love and simplicity.

May St. Francis inspire us to listen with all our heart to the Lord and to each other!