Listening

"For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears" (Luke 1:44).

Today's Gospel speaks of deep listening.

Can we still truly listen in today's world, flooded with a torrent of words and information? Do we hear what other people have to say to us? Do we listen to the Word of God? To the voice of God himself?

Let us pause for a moment on the scene from today's Gospel. Two women, Mary and Elizabeth, who love each other, meet after a long separation. They probably want to share many thoughts and experiences. However, a deep spiritual bond is established between them before they even begin to speak.

Mary's soul speaks to Elizabeth's soul. Just one word of greeting makes the hearts of both mothers beat faster. New life awakens under their hearts, it moves. The Holy Spirit fills Elizabeth and she bursts with joy and delight. Words of blessing for people and for God flow from her lips.

How much can we learn from this extraordinary meeting in the Judean mountains! These holy women do not talk about trivial matters, but about the most important things: faith, hope, and love. Their conversation becomes a prayer.

And what about our communication - in our families, communities? Can we talk with love? Do we bring joy and comfort to our interlocutors? Or maybe, like vampires, we suck energy and the will to live out of them?

After all, it depends on us what we bring to our neighbors. Do we bring them peace and selfless love? Or do we share with them our own anxiety, fear, and problems?

If there is no God's love and peace of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, we will not be able to offer these gifts to our loved ones. In contrast, we will intensify their fear and hopelessness.

And yet the world and our families so much desire good words, words of the Good News, evangelical words that carry God's blessing!

In this coming Christmas season, may the Child Jesus, the Word of God, move within us! May joyful adoration of God for his great works flow from our souls! Holy is His name! Amen.