Tuesday 17 April, 2023 | Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter |Readings: Acts 4:32-37; Psalm 92 (93):1-2,5; John 3:7-15 (You can find these in full on the Universalis website – Click here)
Every day, we use our phones and computers to communicate with one another. The experience of Lockdown meant that many meetings and conversations took place online, and much of this has continued. As beneficial as these platforms have proven to be, the importance of face-to-face conversations and encounters remains for they provide possibilities that are not easily present online.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “Christians have forgotten that the ministry of listening has been committed to them by Him who is Himself the great listener and whose work they should share. We should listen with the ears of God that we may speak the Word of God.” In the gospel reading, the conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus flows freely. There is question and answer, listening and speaking. He is seeking the truth and comes armed with many questions. Each is attentive to the other. As the conversation progresses, Nicodemus – sheltered by the darkness – is slowly enlightened by Jesus, the great listener.
Each of us is at different stages of the journey of faith and, at various times, we will have many questions, some of which we may grapple with for a lifetime. Having a living encounter with God through prayer and worship, bible reading and study, silence and stillness, is important. We are called to be attentive to the One who attends to us. We are called to listen to the One who himself is the ‘great listener.’ As fellow pilgrims along the way, we can also learn so much from one another – if we have an open ear and an attentive heart. How often do we fail to listen to others, or are inattentive to what is really being said – or wanting to be said? How can we ensure that each encounter provides a means through which we really listen to one another, and so in turn learn to speak the Word of God?
MAKING CONNECTIONS
These posts are part of our endeavour each day to provide a short homily or reflection from the celebration of the Mass of the day. Links are posted on Twitter and Facebook, and you can also sign up for daily emails in your inbox by registering your email below:
MINISTRY AREA MASS
Mass today (Tuesday 18 April, 2023) is celebrated at St Saviour’s Church, Splott at 10am and S Mary’s Church at 7pm. If you would like to send a prayer request then click on the ‘REQUEST PRAYER’ Button
South Cardiff Ministry Area 