When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them ...

Matthew 9:36

Little Susan came running into her house after school waving a sheet of paper. Her mother was bent over the counter preparing dinner. “Mommy, Mommy, guess what!” she shouted excitedly. Without looking up, her mother responded, “What?” Susan repeated, “Mommy, Mommy, guess what!” Again, her mother asked, “What?” “Mommy, you’re not listening.” Still looking down, her mother said. “Oh, I’m listening, darling.” “But Mommy, you’re not listening with your eyes.” When we listen, it is with the whole of us — eyes and ears included — and Susan knew that her mother was distracted, not really listening. Jesus was a master of listening with his whole self, eyes as well as ears. In Matthew 9 we are told that when Jesus saw the crowds, “He had compassion on them.” Jesus “listened with his eyes.” Jesus listens to us when we pray, with his eyes, ears, and total self.

Donald Hinchey
Loveland, CO

Listening Lord, teach me to listen to others as you listen to me. Amen.

Reflect: When you listen to another, remind yourself to be totally present in your listening.

Read: Deuteronomy 5:28-33 and Matthew 13:14-17