Evangelization as Listening

"Everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak." Jas 1:19

More than once my father reminded me that God gave me two ears and one mouth for a reason. We need to listen twice as much as we speak, he insisted. In part, my dad challenged me in this way because he was a quiet man who preferred listening to speaking. He didn't have much schooling and was sometimes intimidated by people with college degrees, but his advice was wise and insightful. He knew the power of listening as a path to wisdom.

St James basically says the same thing. Evangelization is not just about getting your opinion heard, it also means learning to listen with hope and from the heart. When we help others articulate their feelings and opinions without interrupting them, they grow in respect for us and are much more likely to listen to us.

Authentic Evangelists are listeners, not just as a technique to assure others we respect them, but because we honestly want to hear the opinions and insights of those with whom we differ religiously.

Today, listen to someone from another religious tradition and try not to be defensive no matter how you feel.

What do you think about the faith traditions of Muslims, Buddhists and Jews?