hearing aid

Ezra 6:7-8, 12, 14-20; Psalm 122 Let us go to the house of the Lord; Luke 8:19-21

We have a very short gospel today.

"The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd.  He was told, "your mother and your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you."  He said to them in reply, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it."

Jesus invites us into the household of God; he invites us to be part of his most intimate circle, his family.  The door open and all are welcomed.  All we need to do is hear the word of God and act on it.

Here are few hear aids for embracing the reality of the gospel and truly living as a member of the household of God.

There are three things necessary for fully hearing:

1) we must listen attentively

We need to foster time for silence and solitude.  Noise pollution is all around us.  There are a thousand noises and voices seeking entrance into our life.

The surgeon general once said, "calling noise a nuisance is like calling smog an inconvenience; noise must be considered Hazard to the health of people everywhere."

We need quiet time so that the word of God can truly enter in, find a home, take root, dwell richly in our heart.

2) We must seek to comprehend

It is not enough to listen attentively we must seek to understand the word spoken.  

Children in school are encouraged to participate in class, by raising their hands and asking questions especially when they do not understand.  This is important for us as well.  We must not be afraid to raise our hand and ask God to clarify what was spoken.

We do this by studying scripture and studying the teachings of the Church.  Christ founded the Church to guide us and educate us.  Her teachings through the centuries are beautiful ways of clarifying the word God has spoken in Christ. 

3) we must trust the one who speaks

Trusting is necessary when it comes to hearing.  If we do not trust the one who is speaking regardless we will not hear. 

we must foster a deep confidence in God in guiding us.  We do this by developing a life of prayer and devotion.  We do this by actively participating in the gift of the sacraments.  We do this by spending quality time before the Blessed Sacrament.  We do this in meditating on the mysteries of Christ through the Rosary.  

Surrender and trust are essential to increasing our ability to hear what is being spoken.  God knows what is best and he will not lead us astray.  His word in sacred scripture and the teachings of the Church are the foundation we stand firm on and will lead us to Him most perfectly.  The Holy Spirit is active in the Church allowing us to hear again for the first time the beauty of the gospel and live it fruitfully.

In the quiet we listen attentively, in seeking to understand we grow in comprehension, in deepening our devotion we grow in trust and together we truly are empowered to act on the word spoken and enter fully into the household of God.