Listen to Me My People

As you know for the next three weeks we are continuing the program “Our Call to Liturgy: The Work of the People.” Last week we focused on, “We Gather.” Week two takes us into, “We Listen.”

Listening, a very important aspect in our humanity, and I am not just talking about audible hearing, but the hearing that takes place within the deepest recesses of our hearts, conscience, and souls. We listen to others every day, be it at work, at school, at home, with friends, we are constantly listening. We do not always give people the same attention or level of attention. For instance, a husband should give his wife the most attention when it comes to listening. Wives, do your husbands listen well? Sometimes we do not listen well because of distractions, the busyness of life, or we may be tired. So, listening is a virtue, one that requires that I pay attention, process information, and finally either accept, reject, or hold off in terms of what I will do with what I have just listened to.

Every week that we come to mass we are asked to listen to God himself, for it is in the proclamation of the Word that God speaks to us through human authors, lectors, and the ordained. Each week God is asking for even more attention than I would give to anyone else.

Think of the Gospel today where Jesus simply offers a direct invitation to the Apostles to come and follow him. They listened, were moved deeply, and responded quickly with great conviction. It was something they heard deep down inside, this call from God, and they acted upon it. When we listen we hear in our hearts what God is asking, if we come with distractions, if we are too busy, or tired, then we will be left on the boat and not be like James and John or Peter and Andrew who left their boats immediately when they heard the Word, recognized him, and then followed him.

It was not only the 12 Apostles who were called, so too were we. We were called and are still being called to listen to God. God wants great things for us, both in this life and in the next. And when I say great things in this life I am referring to the happiness we feel in God when people live lives of faith. No happiness can come unless one has faith. Think of all the biblical characters who heard God and the immediacy of many of their responses, which we will look at next week, but there is one common thread, they all listened, i.e. Abraham, Noah, David, Jesus, Mary, and the apostles.

There is no difference between them and us, we too are given God’s Word, God comes to us, and He is right here – right now. Something we often take for granted because it seems I am listening to a lector, to a deacon or priest, we are just instruments, you listen to God!

In conclusion then, I ask, “Are we listening?” Again, “Are we listening?” AMEN!

Fr John