By Fr Gilbert Marcus
Sep 15 2022
IF anyone asks the meaning of the whole synodal journey that the Church is undertaking, it is ‘listening to each other’. It starts with listening attentively without interrupting in order to learn from and share with each other. This is the synodal way that the Church hopes to walk on in building a loving and kind Christian community and as a multi-racial society. Fr Gilbert Marcus of Penampang parish reflects on the theme ‘listen, understand and respect’ as a way forward for the Church today (Catholic Sabah)
Brothers and sisters, we are all struggling to listen, understand and respect each other. But the Word of God reminds that everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires (James 1:19-20).”
Being “quick to listen” means that we train ourselves to wait for the whole story before diving in with our opinion. “Slow to speak” is the flip side of that. We control our words and do not blurt out everything that comes into our heads.
Perhaps one of the hardest things to do in life is to listen. Are we a good listener? Do we know how to listen? Most likely this is a struggle for you and I since it is a struggle for most people.
Listening is more than hearing. Listening implies that one hears and comprehends (understand). Furthermore, in this Scripture passage, Jesus makes it clear that “listening” is not enough. Once we have listened (heard and understood), we must act. Acting on the Word of God involves a total embrace and surrender to His Word and will. It means you allow the Word of God to dictate your actions (James 1:22-25).
Later, he warns us about controlling our tongues (James 1:26-27). The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body. Reflect this “the tongue is sharper than splinter”. Wounds can heal but scars will not leave.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:4-5).
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12).
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
