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From the Pastor&
A 91-year-old fellow went to the doctor and had a checkup. Two days later, the doctor saw his patient, smiling, with a 30-year-old woman in his arm.
"Thanks, Doc," the old man said, "I did what you said."
The doctor asked, "For heavens sake, what did I say?"
The 91-year-old man replied, "You said, 'Find a hot mama and be cheerful.'"
"No," replied the doctor, "I said, 'You have a heart murmur and be careful.'"
Listening is one of our challenges in life, and many of us practice selective listening, don't we? We hear what we want to hear. Some of you might be married to someone who practices selective listening!
A recent survey at the University of Detroit -- Mercy found that parents and children spend only 14.5 minutes per day talking to each other. Are you shocked by that statistic? I know that I was & I tried to remember my own growing-up years at home. Sadly, the 14.5 minutes statistic is correct, but it includes a lot of chitchat such as, "what's for supper?" and, "have you finished your homework?" The survey points out two major reasons why parent-child communication is getting worse. The first is the change in the work force. A few decades ago the dinner table was a forum for family business and communication. But that has all changed -- and when everyone is home, there are constant interruptions to any meaningful conversation. We can't eat in peace -- the telephone keeps ringing, and I don't even have teenagers!
The second reason for poor communication is television. I don't think e-mail really works, because real communication with the people we love is about listening -- really listening.
If we can't listen to others in our homes, or if we practice selective listening, what happens when we come together for Sunday liturgy and "listen" to the Word of God? The modern mantra about Mass is "I didn't get anything out of it." Whose fault is it? Liturgy is not entertainment -- it's about listening to God speak, to each one of us in our heart, soul and min. What excites us in life? March Madness? Who Wants to be a Millionaire? The Lottery? As Charlie Brown would say, "Good Grief!"
We need to learn to listen to Christ because there is only one path that leads to an abundant life, and that path is Christ himself. We shouldn't cheat our young. Why deprive them of life abundant and eternal? We shouldn't cheat ourselves. God is offering us an everlasting gift, but we have to listen in order to get on the right path. The psalmist wrote: I will lift up my eyes to the mountains from where will come my help. My help comes from the Lord, the Creator of Heaven and Earth.
When we let Christ Jesus lead us, we find peace and joy, even when there is fear and suffering. Christ really cares about us more than we care for ourselves! He knows the way that leads to life!
Instead of "giving up" things this Lent, let's try to develop our listening skills at home, at work, at church. As today's gospel said, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him."
What is he saying?
Love,
Fr. Bill
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