Greetings on this the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19; PS Ps 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10; 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20; Jn 1:35-42
Notes
As the old saying goes: We have two ears and one mouth. Therefore, use the ears more than the mouth. Listening is the sincere form of respect. Active listening the effective sincere form of respect. In today’s first reading Samuel was active listening and at first was assuming the speaker. Eli, for his part, was passively listening, until the repetition alerted him to the need to be more active.
Not all listening is the same
Passive listening is little more than hearing. Passive listening is listening without reacting: allowing someone to speak, without interrupting. Not doing anything else at the same time, and yet not really paying attention to what’s being said. Passive listening is one-way communication where the receiver doesn’t provide feedback or ask questions and may or may not understand the sender’s message.
Active listening includes responses that demonstrate that you understand what the other person is trying to tell you about his or her experience. This is a communication technique that’s very different from the passive or unfocused listening that we often adopt in everyday conversation.
Resource: https://www.giftoflifeinstitute.org/the-importance-of-active-listening/
Types of (Active) Listening
When we engage in listening we are doing so for many different reasons depending upon the goals in which we are trying to achieve. There are four different types of listening that are essential to know when deciding what your goal as the listener is. The four types of listening are appreciative, empathic, comprehensive, and critical. Familiarize yourself with these different types of listening so you can strengthen and improve your ability to critically think and evaluate what you have heard.
Summary
So are we actively listening now? Hear then (listen actively) to the words of the Psalmist:
I have waited, waited for the LORD,
and he stooped toward me and heard my cry.
And he put a new song into my mouth,
a hymn to our God.
Sacrifice or offering you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, "Behold I come."
"In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
to do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!"
I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
Reflection
In both our first reading and gospel portion today we can appreciate the need to actively and attentively listen to the Lord when he speaks. He speaks in our conscious and subconscious. He speaks in the words and concerns of others. He speaks in our desires, dreams and hopes. God creates us with a capacity to know and love him, and we have a natural desire to seek the truth about him. Conscience helps us hear the voice of God; it helps us recognize the truth about God and the truth about how we ought to live. Conscience is “a judgment of reason” by which we determine whether an action is right or wrong (https://www.usccb.org/prolife/understanding-conscience).
The binding message today is the second and most uncomfortable reading today. Let’s not skip over it.
Brothers and sisters: The body is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body; God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power. The great importance here is this simple truth in ALL CAPS for emphasis: When we sin against our own body, we are BOTH VICTIM and VICTIMIZER. We are the OTHER of Ourselves. (BTW: God is the Other of Himself, too). Saint Paul is asking us to listen attentively to the fact that sin of the body is self-harm as well as often harming others.
Personal Reflection
I’m not gonna lie. I get tired. In fact, friends and family usually alert me to my grumpiness with a single phrase: go take a nap. And, the truth is, it works. Even a cat nap changes everything for me. Yesterday was a long day. Morning Mass, Exposition and Benediction, an outreach case that lasted five hours, then the Vigil Mass. Many opportunities to get grumpy throughout. But I listen to the Lord through others . Work harder at keeping my center and not allowing emotions rule the day. They did not rule the day. Jesus ruled the day. I am very happy. I did not victimize others. I did not victimize myself. Because, at least for this one day, listened. Can I get a high-five? Amen!
First Reading
When Samuel went to sleep in his place, the LORD came and revealed his presence, calling out as before, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel answered, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” Samuel grew up, and the LORD was with him, not permitting any word of his to be without effect.
Responsorial
Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
Second Reading
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? But whoever is joined to the Lord becomes one Spirit with him.
Avoid immorality.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been purchased at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.
Gospel Acclamation
We have found the Messiah: Jesus Christ, who brings us truth and grace.
Gospel
John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry