Monday of
the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time
November 16, 2015 6:30AM
We have to listen to see.
This idea may sound strange, but
it is true.
In today’s gospel, the blind man
sitting by the side of the road listens.
He apparently has listened to
others talking about Jesus.
Then he listens to Jesus who asks
him what he wants.
And the result is that this blind
man now sees.
He sees physically – his eyes are
literally opened.
And he also sees spiritually – he
actually addresses Jesus as Lord – a title that is close if not equivalent to
God.
He comes to see Jesus for who he
really is.
In contrast, many others around
Jesus see physically but do not see spiritually.
And why? Because they do not listen.
They are closed to the new ideas
or new ways that Jesus proposes.
They are upset with his lack of
self-righteousness.
They do not like his hanging
around with those whom they deem to be sinful.
They cannot accept Jesus’ placing
the care of persons above the literal rituals of their law.
So, they do not listen and therefore
do not see who Jesus really is.
We have to listen to see.
Saint Ignatius once said: “Speak little, listen much.”
One commentator on Ignatius’
statement says that sadly, listening has become a lost art in our culture.
So often we are so preoccupied
with what we are going to say or so satisfied with our own understanding of
things or so resistant to dealing with something new or different that we do
not listen.
And the result is that we do not
see.
We do not see the life experience
or viewpoint of another.
We do not see the value of an
idea that is new or a way that is different from what we are used to.
Why?
Because we do not listen.
We must listen to see.
