A heartfelt reflection on Luke 11:27-28 shows how authentic listening to God begins when the heart kneels in silence and trust. ( 11-10-25)
Once there was a young brother in a small monastery. He always talked big. He said he wanted to do great things for God. He wanted to preach, to travel, to help people experiencing poverty. One day, the old abbot told him very quietly, “First, learn to listen.” The young brother was shocked. He said, “But I do listen.” The abbot smiled a little and said, “No, you only hear sounds. Listening is when your heart kneels.” Those words stayed with him. They broke something inside, and slowly changed his life.
In today’s Gospel, a woman in the crowd praises the Mother of Jesus. It was a touching moment. She was moved by what Jesus said, and she wanted to bless the one who gave birth to Him. But Jesus looked deeper. He said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it.” He was not putting down His Mother. He was showing the real reason she is blessed. Not because she gave birth to Him, but because she listened to God and lived His word.
It is easy to hear. We all hear many things every day. But listening with the heart is something else. Many people heard Jesus. The Pharisees also heard Him. But only a few let His word sink deep inside and change them.
In the Bible, when God says, “Hear, O Israel,” it means more than just using the ears. It means listen and obey. Let it enter your heart, and shape your life. Abraham heard God’s voice and began his journey. Moses heard God and went to stand before Pharaoh. The prophets heard God and spoke, even when nobody cared. Hearing always leads to doing.
In our homes, we also have this problem. Parents talk, children talk, but few really listen. Sometimes, even in our convents or prayer houses, we read the Bible, pray, and attend Mass, but our minds wander elsewhere. We hear, but do not keep. Perhaps that is why peace eludes us.
Mary listened. When the angel spoke, she didn’t fully understand. But she said yes. She trusted. Her listening was not with her ears, but with her faith. That is why she is blessed. Listening with faith always gives birth to something beautiful — peace, joy, love, new life.
Saint Benedict once said, “Listen carefully, my child, with the ear of your heart.” The ear of your heart — that is where holiness begins. When we listen in that way, even a small day or a small act becomes holy. Washing clothes, cooking, teaching, sweeping — all can become prayer when done with a listening, loving heart.
Maybe today Jesus is asking us softly, “Do you really listen to Me?” Not in the noise, not in the hurry of words, but in silence. If we listen to God with our hearts, we will also begin to listen more attentively to one another. Families will heal. Communities will find peace. And our restless hearts will rest.
Lord, teach us to listen with our hearts and to live your Word in simple love. Amen.
