Listen

"If, however, you turn away your hearts and will not listen, but are led astray and adore and serve other gods, I tell you now that you will certainly perish."  Dt 30:17

Listening with our hearts is easier to talk about than do. It means putting aside our personal concerns, quieting our insides and attending to the person speaking with undivided attention. Most often we can only do this for a few moments, but even this is better than nothing. When we listen with our hearts the other person knows we are not simply being patient, but that we are waiting with anticipation to know them more deeply.

God does this for us all the time. If we had to pick the most dominant theme in the Hebrew Bible, it is God's fidelity and availability to the Chosen people. Even when kings, prophets and priests forget God, God remembers and heals them. As Isaiah reminds us, "the word of our God will stand forever." (40:8)

Jesus, the fullness of God's word, seems always to be listening with his heart to the cries of the poor. The sick, the lame, the grieving all come to Jesus for nourishment and hope, and even when their burdens are not lifted completely, they know that Jesus has heard their cry and walks with them.

Today, accompany someone without saying a word. Just listen.

What is most difficult about listening with your heart?