It Depends How We Listen

And all the people would get up early each morning to listen to him in the temple area. (Luke 21:38)

Most who listened were

fishermen and farmers,

tradesmen and beggars.

They came

because He spoke

words of hope

unlike any other.

 
I have come that you might have life,

He said.

Abundant life.

Worthwhile life.

Life overflowing with

living water.

 

But did He not have anything of value

to say to the sophisticated,

the intelligentsia,

the rulers of His day?

    

Yes.

But many couldn't hear;

they wouldn't hear.

 

And so He said:

I praise you, Father,

Lord of heaven and earth,

because you have hidden these things

from the wise and the learned

and have revealed them

to the childlike.*

 

St. Paul added:

Consider your calling, brethren.

Not many of you were wise by human standards,

nor powerful,

nor of noble birth.

But God chose the foolish of the world

to shame the wise,

and the weak

to shame the strong,

the lowly and despised

to reduce to nothing those who are something,

so that no one might boast before God**

 

Fisherman, tradesman

white collar or blue,

Religious or laity . . .

God speaks

to those who listen

with the heart of a child.

Humble. Teachable.

Willing to change.

 

No wonder Jesus warned:

Unless you are as little children,

you shall not see the kingdom of God.***

 

Does Jesus have anything of value

to say today to you?

To me?

 

It depends

how we listen.

 

 
*   See Matthew 11:25
** See 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
*** See Matthew 18:1-4