Thursday, September 4, 2014

The Mystery of Listening and the Other Side


As a cradle Catholic I sometimes take for granted the scriptures that serve as a point of proof when it comes to the Sacraments. I've heard arguments that prove the truth of the Sacraments in the Church from the Bible and I've heard and seen and even experienced how humanizing they are from a psychological/emotional point of view. It is normal to have someone you can trust in life and ask him or her for forgiveness while admitting your failures. However, it is even more reassuring to know that you are truly forgiven. Jesus knew this and he asks us to listen to him. We need to remember that God is not dumb or a fool. Specifically I am speaking about the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession. The encounter with Christ in the Sacraments is powerful, life changing, and ultimately it is TRUE! This Sunday we will hear the Gospel from Matthew 18. Jesus says: 

"Amen, I say to you,
whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven
."

This is one of the many places in scripture where we find the Sacraments in the Bible. When I was first beginning to journey with the Lord as his disciple, I saw this and said, "Sweet! There it is. Biblical truth that supports the Church's teaching on the Sacrament of Confession. Jesus is speaking directly to his Apostles who handed down the faith throughout the history of the Church." I am convinced (from experience and witnesses of other people) of the healing power of the Sacrament of Confession. Additionally, it is very normal and human to confess ones sins to another.  However, now that I am discerning the priesthood I am on the other side. I am thinking about what it will be like to hear confessions and keep the seal forever. I am thinking about how to allow Christ to work through me so I may listen effectively to truly be as conformed to Christ as I can at the time. 

Earlier in the Gospel of Matthew Jesus says: 

"If your brother sins against you,
go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. 
If he listens to you, you have won over your brother."

Did you catch that? IF HE LISTENS TO YOU. Now that I am discerning the other side of the confessional and of this Gospel I must become a man who listens. I will still participate in the Confession often (God willing as a priest), but things will definitely change if I become a priest and hear confessions. We hear it all of the time in the seminary that the people of God do not necessarily care what we say as long as we listen and people know that they are heard. Listening for the person being spoken to is an act of the will and boy it can be difficult at times, but it will not always be that way. Sometimes listening in a deep conversation can be as simple as replying, "Yes, oh my, ok,  nice, that's great, wow, etc." Listening doesn't always mean having the answer or finding the solution. I have found this true in life thus far with people who either can't accept the fact that they don't go to to Church anymore or if they have been hurt or betrayed in some way. (This woundedness can take many forms)

 Listening to someone who has been waiting to speak to someone they can trust can be simply related to the way you and I used to be or may be currently are in our prayer lives. This would be our (early) prayer life: We talk and talk.......and talk.......and talk....and talk.  Jesus patiently waits and maybe even says a few words and we keep talking while he patiently listens. However, when we patiently listen to him he wins us over because he calls to a life of simplicity, patience, virtue, holiness, etc. Essentially, Jesus invites us to a life of happiness and joy that is not of this world. There will still be struggles, but God will give us a sense of assurance through his bride the Chruch. He always provides. If we listen in prayer it will not seem like a burden to listen to those around us. We will actively participate in the life of Christ. The Gospels will come alive in our very midst.  Our one encounter with Jesus will turn into many encounters with Jesus. We will re-encounter him who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present. We will grow in empathy for Jesus for all of the times we didn't listen in prayer and we will grow in compassion as we listen to others by learning what it is like to be his disciple.  




Once we are willing to listen and be listened to we will come to know the transforming power of the Sacrament of Confession. We all confess our sins in one fashion or another, whether it is outside of the Sacrament or not. However, are we listening? Or are we thinking about the past, the future, etc all of the time? Jesus is most present to us when we listen or when we are receptive/passive. As I discern the other side of Matthew 18, please pray for me that I learn the gift of listening while in seminary formation and I will continue to pray for you.

Maybe your face looks like this and you say, "This is what I do now!"



Lastly, where do you start to learn how to listen? Right now! If you think that you can't do it or have been making excuses throughout your reading of this blog then the evil one has been feeding you lies. Ask Jesus to bless the hell out of your life. It's a fun and powerful prayer. Spend some time with the Silent Jesus.  Pope Benedict Emeritus said, "The first language of God is silence." Learn to be comfortable with silence. Here is your challenge: Turn OFF the cell phone, tv, computer, ipod, radio, etc. Notice the things around you and repeat a simple prayer that will help engage your heart and mind. Take some deep breaths. Relax into your prayer. It will take time because the Evil One knows where this could all lead to (HAPPINESS, PEACE, JOY, ZEAL, PASSION FOR CHRIST, ETC). Start with 5 minutes. It will be a struggle at times, but the sacrifice will bear much fruit.  It might not make sense right away, but that's the mystery in it all. It doesn't have to make sense right away. If we learn to accept this, our lives will never be the same.

Living in the mystery!

Zach Weber