They were still talking about all this when Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you!’ … He then opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, ‘So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this.’ (Luke 24:35-48)
One of the first things that I noticed about Eugene de Mazenod was how all of his writings and letters were interspersed with quotes from the Word of God. I thought it was sort of “neat.” I was not sure I had never heard this kind of talk, or seen this way of ‘being’ before.
As I look back I realise that I was not used to ‘listening’ to or for the Word of God. At a retreat I took part in we were asked to describe our favourite Bible passage(s) and then break into our groups and share why. I panicked and when it came my turn to share I blurted out about the Magnificat and why it captured me. My terms were general yet I found myself blurting out the truth. It is still my favourite and while I cannot give you chapter or verse I can tell you what it is about and the details of where it came from. I still am unable to recite all the words of Mary’s Canticle but my whole being takes part as I sing them. It’s kind of like the person who can sit down a play a tune on the piano but who does not know how to read music.
Little did I know that God was helping me to develop a ‘listening heart’. And while I still cannot give you chapter and verse of the passages and words that come to me I google them so as to be able to share with you or any who are listening to me speak so as to get a fuller sense of what I am trying to express.
This morning I go to my little Rule of Life that all of you have shared with me. Section Two – Living in Faith and there it is, second only to the Eucharist. I reread what Frank has written in its entirety and must admit that I still do not study scriptures diligently, But I have gotten better at understanding and God is transforming my heart to listen to that which is spoken aloud and that which is left unsaid. Without God none of this would be possible.