by Jonathan Nateghi-Asli
The Third Friday of Lent
[Frederick Denison Maurice, Priest, 1872]
Jeremiah 11:1-8, 14-20 Psalms 88, 91, 92 Romans 6:1-11 John 8:33-47
Whoever comes from God listens to the words of God; the reason why you do not listen is that you are not from God.
Listen to my voice. But they did not listen, did not pay attention; instead, each followed his own stubborn and wicked inclinations.
The readings from John and Jeremiah today tell two stories about the struggles of listening. Today is a day that I find that I do not do as much listening as I could, as it is April 1st. As a teacher, I often hear chatter and jokes from students aimed at each other, and even towards me, because it is April’s Fools Day! All too often, I either don’t listen or listen enough to chuckle just a little bit.
How often do we decide to not listen, but just shut our ears to the reality of the world around us? Jesus and Jeremiah remind us that there are times that we do not listen.
Today, seek some time to open your ears, take in what is around us, and experience what Jesus and Jeremiah tried to get others to hear.