HEARING JESUS AND LISTENING TO OTHERS..............

When we prayerfully take the time to hear and respond to the voice of Jesus, then we are truly able to listen to other persons with authenticity and effectiveness.  Being truly concerned for what another person is saying to us with attentiveness and without being distracted,  disinterested, or determined only to get through with it, are the attributes of being a friend, family member, or fellow believer.  Sincerely listening to the person needing to share with us, or honestly communicating whether a better time when you can be  available to do so, is the Christ like manner to react when we cannot listen and respond rightly at the  very moment we are called upon to be good and necessary listeners.  Think of those times when  you need to be heard and listened to well by someone you know and trust.  Are you not frustrated if the person you are speaking to is tuned out or only going through the motions of listening to you ?  Is it preferable that they are honest and tell you it is not a good time then to put up a pretense ?  And if  you and I are soundly grounded in listening to Jesus and availing in prayer  and reflection of being listened  to by Him as a best friend, then we will  be aware of when and where is the best time to be listened to by others and to be a truly helpful and welcome listener ourselves.  God is calling us right to increase our willingness to listen through the words of Sacred Scripture and in the generosity of our Prayers.  Are  you open and ready to Listen to Jesus the Lord and to the person in your circle right now needing to be listened to by you.  Be open, be kind, be ready, to hear  with the ears of a Disciple of Christ..............fr.tdp