Thursday 10 December
Jesus said to the crowds: “Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by force. All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come. Whoever has ears ought to hear.”
Hearing implies listening. A simple concept but a difficult application. There is so much white noise in and around us, but it’s not the soothing, white noise that helps us to relax and puts us to sleep. It is noise that distracts, agitates, and keeps us awake: screens, children, meals, plans, activities, parties, husbands, chores, and let’s not forget our own heads. This noise is constant. Filling our ears. Filling our minds. Filling our hearts. Stealing our peace.
Stop. Breathe. Look around. Whoever has ears ought to hear.
Some of the noise can be controlled and chosen. This is the season to slow down. Advent is a time set apart. A time to look back and a time to look forward. A time to slow down and listen. What do you hear?
Sometimes on returning home, I will sit in the car after all the family has gone inside. The car is off and there is silence. I sit and listen. I soak it in. Advent is like this for me. Intentionally slowing down, sitting, and listening.
This is a time of preparation. What is God saying to you? Do you hear His call to come deeper and experience Him? Where do you hear God speaking? What is He using? Who is He using?
This year is different from all other years and there is a gift for you here, in this moment, in this season. Don’t miss it! This time is not about stuff, things, and business. It is about a gift. The gift of time. The time to hear what the Lord, the creator of the universe, has to say to you. Whoever has ears ought to hear.
Meditation
You have ears. Use them. Take five minutes, and as St. Benedict wrote, “incline the ear of your heart.”
Jackie Henderson