Advent - We Have Found The KingNäide

Listening has become a lost art. How many really good listeners do you know? In most conversations, are you truly listening to understand. . . or secretly waiting to interject your next response? Social Media has definitely fueled this problem! Now that everyone has a guaranteed audience on Facebook and Twitter, most people are much too eager to post their opinions. Let me tell you what I think! Many tweeters would be wise to read Proverbs 18:2: “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing personal opinion.” These days, it seems there is little interest in understanding others. No one is listening.

In the Kairos Prison Ministry, volunteers go into the prisons to share the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. At first, most prisoners are not interested in this ministry. They are expecting only judgment and condemnation. However, the Kairos motto is refreshingly simple: Listen. Listen. Love. Love. Countless prisoners have turned their hearts over to Jesus through this powerful ministry. They discovered the love of Christ simply because someone listened without judgment.

When Jesus is truly in our hearts, we begin to see things differently. As it says in today’s Isaiah passage, “Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped!” Jesus helps us see with spiritual eyes. Jesus helps us see people the way God sees us.

Matthew 7:7 tells us, “Seek and you will find.” When we look for Jesus in each person we meet, we will find Him. Mother Teresa affirmed, “Each one of them is Jesus in disguise.” But in order to recognize Him, we have to listen first.

As we prepare our hearts for the coming of our Savior, let us practice every day:
Listen. Listen. Love. Love.

Dr. Michelle Roueché, Director of Choral Studies, Music Department