[stephenkhoo]

A TRUE PROPHET IS ONE WHO LISTENS BEFORE HE ACTS
SCRIPTURE READINGS: 1 SM 3:1-10, 19-20; PS 40:2 and 5, 7-8a, 8b-9, 10; Mk 1:29-39
http://www.universalis.com/20140115/mass.htm



We are all called to be prophets by virtue of our baptism. But we do not fulfill this function well. We fall short both by our words and actions. What is the cause of this failure? It is simply this: we do not listen and we do not know how to listen. Either we tend to act without listening, or we do not act at all. As a result, we cause more problems than being of service to others. Today the scripture readings illustrate why Eli, Samuel and Jesus Himself were great prophets. The common trait they all have is that they know how to listen, and listen intently they did. What must we listen to? Whom do we listen to? How do we listen? These are the questions that occupy us in our reflection today.

Firstly, we must listen to God. To listen to God is to be in tune with Him. We must learn to identify with God in His love for His people. We are called to be shepherds after the heart of God, our Good Shepherd. This presupposes intimacy and personal knowledge of God. Only then can we discern His will for us and act accordingly. Indeed, Eli showed himself to be familiar with the voice of God, unlike young Samuel who had yet to learn how to train his ears to listen to His voice. Over the years of prayer and discipline, Eli had become very sensitive to the voice of God. In the same vein, we read that Jesus went to the hills to pray, to listen to His Father’s heart and will, so that He could always be conscious of His mission. Jesus was always in communion with His Father even when ministering.

Secondly, we must listen to ourselves. Samuel was not able yet to listen to the promptings of his heart. Indeed, we are just like him. When we hear voices or see events, we do not enter into our hearts and ask what is going on. Instead we tend to look out and judge the events in a clinical manner. Otherwise we use our head to rationalize and assess these events. Whilst an objective assessment of the situation is necessary, what is more important is to consider the motives for our actions or reactions. If Jesus had the habit of going away from His disciples early in the morning to be alone with His Father, it was because He needed to get in touch with Himself, His motives and concerns.

Thirdly, we must listen to others. Eli was a good listener. He did not admonish Samuel for being so ignorant. Instead he helped Samuel to listen to God’s voice. So when the voice came the third time, he told Samuel what and how to respond. “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” Similarly, Jesus too listened to those who came to Him for help. Before He performed miracles or healed someone, He would first inquire into the condition of the person and discern his or her actual needs, rather than the apparent request. Truly, Jesus was acting as the Divine Physician who came to visit the people of God.

Indeed, to be a true prophet, we must listen well and listen to God, ourselves and those whom we are called to minister. The next question is: how should we listen? In order to listen attentively, three conditions are crucial.

Firstly, we must make space for God. We must make time for Him. Eli and Samuel heard God in the quietness of their room, which is but a symbol of their hearts. When Jesus in the gospel taught us to pray in our rooms, in secret, He was not so much referring to the physical space but the inner space of our hearts. Jesus, despite His heavy schedule, knew when to stop His activities to listen to God. Although very busy in the ministry, He was able to abandon everything and made time to be with His Father in prayer. So it is not enough to listen, but we must listen with both our ears and heart.

Secondly, real listening must be grounded on the Word of God. We read that “Samuel grew up and the Lord was with him and let no word of his fall to the ground.” The real problem in the world today is that people are listening to too many things, but from the wrong sources. We suffer an overload of information, so much so that we do not know right from wrong, true from false. In order that we do not get confused by the world, we must measure everything in relation to the truth that scriptures teach us about God, life and the world. Listening must always include the Word of God, and be done in the context of the Word of God. Otherwise, there is a potential danger of making judgments based on human wisdom rather than divine wisdom.

Thirdly, we need to exercise discipline in listening. Jesus woke up early in the morning and went to a lonely place. If we want to listen, we must not just wish that we can pray more, but we must act by disciplining ourselves to wake up early, to set aside strict times for prayer no matter how busy we are.

Only after listening deeply and clearly to God, ourselves and people, can we then act. Listening without acting clearly shows that we have not listened. If we have listened then we should be confident of the actions that we must take to realize the will of God in our lives. Those of us who listen will be like Jesus who was always focused, directed and decisive in His mission. With single mindedness, we will have the boldness and determination to proclaim the gospel without fear, both in word and deed. Only with this freedom in our hearts can we love others freely, irrespective of whether they love us, because our freedom and our love come from God’s love and truth in us. This, in essence, is the message of the Good News we are called to proclaim.