When I read the Gospel reading for today, Mark 7:31-37, I was reminded of this poem that I wrote on April 30, 1995, when I was in the novitiate.

Who can hear what is not spoken,
the cry that never parts lips,
the secret, un-whispered desires
never uttered, never stammered?

Who, but one who listens deeply?

Listens deeply and hears.

Hears the hunger of the crowds for true bread,
the searching heart of Zaccheus atop a sycamore,
the desperation of a Canaanite mother, willing to be……
….dog.

Yes, one who listens deeply
hears the lonely heart of a woman at a well,
hears the trembling fear of one grown weak from loss of blood.

Yes, one who listens deeply
hears the cry of the poor,
hears one’s own voice deep within,
hears the very heartbeat of God.

Yes, there is one who…

but for me

It all takes too much time!

this listening business.
(bus-i-ness
a still, quiet kind of busy-ness)

Listen in prayer.
Listen in conversation.
Listen to the footsteps of birds in flight.

Take time. Pay attention.
Allow God’s voice to sift through a screen of distractions.
“I vow obedience means I promise to pray.” (Carrol)

Attend to the multiple faces,

the many voices,

the reaching hands of God.

What might happen?
…if I did.
Listen (on purpose) I mean. Pay attention.

Would hearing improve?
…ears be opened?

Ephphatha!

Have I, too, been deaf since birth?

…had ears to hear?

Could my heart be opened?

Ephphatha!

They want me to do what?
(don’t let them become they)

Ephphatha!

“It’ll take you and a good wrestling team
to get me to be open to that!”

EPHPHATHA!

Yes, be open.
(even if it takes wrestling with a god)

To allow myself to be surprised at
where, when, how
God’s voice is heard.

In the wisdom of creation,
in the inspired words of Scripture,
in the life and teachings of Jesus,
in the accumulated wisdom of the…tradition,
in the word and example of [others],
in the voices that speak to us of the needs of our world,
and in the directives of…legitimate authority.
(Constitutions of the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael)

And then to
respond.

Whole heartedly, unreservedly,
(is that possible?) without measure.

Joyfully! (that too?)
Not looking back after putting hand to plow.
Without complaint (not me!),
Without longing for what could have been,
what once was (yet grieving the loss).

In Ecclesiastes it is said,

Whatever your hand finds to do,do it with all of your might. (Eccl. 9:10)

No cosmic scavenger hunt, this.

And Paul,

Whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord alone and not for those you serve,
knowing that of the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance, for you serve the Lord Christ.
(Col. 3:23-24)

Listen (deeply)

Hear (openly)

Respond (generously)