Funny Quarrels!
Everyone has heard people quarreling. Sometimes it sounds funny and sometimes it sounds merely unpleasant, but however it sounds, I believe we can learn something very important from listening to the kind of things they say. C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.
Last week in my reflection I talked about how the words are made of, namely, "air." I want to continue that conversation by bringing in what C.S. Lewis says here. Because our words are made of air, and they change the character and meaning depending on where the wind is blowing or who is talking.
The best solution to the conflicted American society today is listening. Stop talking. I am sure some have already tuned me out right now because I said an emphatic stop! But please, read! Listening is the key to hearing the voice of God. When our hearts are not preparing a response, our hearts are calmer. When we don't have to respond to everything the other says, it is so much more relaxing. When we are not assigning intents to others' words, then we will not be attached to their unintended meanings. When our ego is not attached to our need for control, then our words will have soothing effects. There is not a thing we can solve just with words, only listening!!
None of us are good at it, I included. I regret many times how I react to what the other is saying and plan my responses to an unintended meaning I have assumed. In every email, I sent out I say out loud, "silence is music." I pray I understand what that means. I pray that I know what I am talking about. And since I don't know many times what I am talking about, how should I even expect someone else to understand what I am talking about. God of mercy. Help me to be quiet! Please LISTEN!
Fr. Jos+
