Collect of the Day
Bless us, O God, in
this holy season, in which our hearts seek your help and healing; and so purify
us by your discipline that we may grow in grace and in the knowledge of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Psalm Lessons
51:11-18 Jonah 3:1-10 Luke 11:29-32
But
he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!” Luke 11:28
One of the best essays I’ve ever read
was written by a remarkable young woman as part of her college application. The
writer had a hearing impairment and wrote about the art of listening. Early on
she had learned that to succeed in school she needed to really focus in on the
person speaking and truly listen to what was being said in order to compensate for
her hearing loss. It was a skill that has allowed her to achieve success not
just at school, but at life.
What would it mean for us to listen with
total focus to our spouse, our children, our friends, to God? When Jonah
finally listened to God and traveled to Nineveh, he was told to proclaim God’s
message that because of their actions the city should be overthrown. And the
people of Nineveh listened and believed, and they repented. It must have been
frustrating to Christ when those hearing him preach did not listen, instead
calling for signs and miracles.
Hearing happens automatically for most
of us. Listening takes focus. Listening takes attention. Listening takes time. Where
are we spending our time and focus? To what are we attentive? The only sign we
will be given is the Son of Man. Are we listening?
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