Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will. — Psalm 40:8 and 9

Mass Readings:1 Samuel 3:3-10,19 / 1 Corinthians 6:13-15,17-20 / John 1:35-42 

Learning to Listen 

Having young kids showed me how hard it is to be a good listener. In the midst of lunches, laundry and unrelenting writing deadlines, it was all too easy to slip into the habit of interjecting “Mmmm”— with different inflexions — at appropriate intervals. It took a conscious, deliberate effort to put other things on hold and tune in to childish chatter. 

In today’s first reading, Eli mentors Samuel in the art of listening. “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” both invites and expects God to speak, acknowledges our respective roles as “servant” and “Lord,” and is a commitment to active listening. There’s little use crying “Speak, Lord” if the next moment we’re busy making coffee, packing the kids off to school, or checking e-mail.  

Prayer: Speak, Lord, but first remind me to give You my wholehearted and undivided attention.