Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent - March 18, 2021

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Exodus 32:7-14 John 5:31-47

As I reflect on today’s Gospel, I question my disposition and desire to listen. Questioning my listening skills would come as no surprise to my high school French teacher. “Ecouter s’il vous plait!” Mrs. Marinec would frequently demand of me. When I would feign understanding, she would politely insist, “Listen Please!”

It’s not that I lack the ability to listen. I hear just fine, but sometimes I tune out what I don’t want or choose to hear. It’s often an unconscious exercise. I’m preoccupied on what I believe are important matters and unable to shift my self-absorbed focus to clearly expressed words or directives. My wife can attest to this. Other times, the proclamation is difficult or distressing to hear and accept. I hear or see the words, but because the remark or declaration upsets my comfortable inclination, I disregard the communication.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is testifying before the Pharisees who put Jesus on trial for blasphemy and breaking Sabbath. The Pharisees refuse to listen. Because accepting Jesus’ testimony would upset their beliefs and conventional norms, the Pharisees hear, but don’t believe. The Pharisees heard of Jesus’ teachings and actions, but how few actually sat with the crowds and “listened” to him teach? How many of these people in authority, making decisions on behalf of God’s People, witnessed for themselves the power Jesus possessed?

Like the Pharisees, I question whether I am listening. A few months ago, my old friend Bronson passed away. I don’t know all the details of his waning years, but what I have gathered is Bronson was really struggling. I partly understand this reality because he reached out to me several times before his death. While I had no reason to anticipate his ultimate demise, it should have been obvious Bronson was battling demons. Bronson did not ask me for help, but his outreach was clearly a cry of despair. But I chose not to hear the cry. I did not listen.

Q: How have/will I listen to God and neighbors this week?

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