Listen...

Today is the feast of St Benedict, the father of monasticism. He's also one of the patrons of Europe, a continent so sorely in need of his prayers right now - and so sorely in need of his wisdom and example. Imagine how our politics and public policies might be if our leaders truly lived even just the first words of his Rule: Listen carefully... and attend with the ear of your heart... Imagine a world - or even just a nation - in which leaders genuinely, carefully, attentively listen... to the poor and vulnerable; to those who are outsiders, strangers, "other"... to experts, the experienced and those who challenge and speak out... to their political opponents, and those with different opinions, or discomforting truths they'd prefer not to hear...

This lovely image caught my attention yesterday evening. It reminds me how deep and diverse, multi-textured and multi-layered true listening can be; and how stilling and quietening too. Listening to God - listening for God - means patience and a poised attentiveness, which can find and hear him in all places and things, whether in the hush of a chapel, the fragrant beauty of spring blooms, the hustle and noise of a city centre or the grimy hand of a beggar. God speaks to us in and through them all, if we but listen carefully, and attend with our hearts...

"Listen Banner", created for the Benedictine monks of St John's Abbey, Collegeville
Shared on Facebook by Jamberoo Abbey

Tomorrow afternoon I go to Roehampton, where I will be part of a vocation discernment retreat. Please pray for us all, participants and team alike, for the grace of deep listening, with hearts open and attentive to whatever God might be whispering, and however God might be revealing himself.